The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today the following changes in fire danger rating and industrial fire precaution levels (IFPL) on DNR-protected lands.
Effective 12:01 a.m., Sunday, August 6, 2017:
- Fire danger will increase from high to very high in Pend Oreille County.
- Fire danger remains very high in Lincoln, Spokane, Okanogan, Stevens and Ferry counties.
Effective 12:01 a.m., Sunday, August 6, 2017:
- IFPL will increase to a Level 3 in zones 678W, 684, 685, 686 and 687.
- IFPL will remain a Level 2 in zone 678E and 688.
Daily updates on burn restrictions are available at 1-800-323-BURN or on the Fire Danger and Outdoor Burning risk map at https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/ and IFPL map at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ifpl.
The IFPL system
Industrial Fire Precaution Levels apply to all industrial operations that might cause a fire on or adjacent to lands protected from fire by DNR (WAC 332-24-301); this applies to logging and other industrial operations.
The levels are established for each of the 38 “shutdown zones” in the state on the basis of National Fire Danger Rating System data.
There are four IFPL levels:
- Level 1 (closed fire season): fire equipment and a fire watch are required
- Level 2 (partial hoot owl): limits certain activities to between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.; fire equipment and a fire watch are required
- Level 3 (partial shutdown): prohibits some activities and limits others to between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.; fire equipment and a fire watch are required
- Level 4 (general shutdown): prohibits all activities
