The burn ban for Ferry and Stevens County has been lifted.

Despite the recent rain, fuels are still burning, and the fire danger is categorized as Moderate.

Be careful when you burn.  You must monitor your burn at all times, and have the ability to put the fire out if necessary.  (An available water hose, a fire extinguisher, etc.)

If your burn becomes a problem, do not hesitate to call 911.  It is better to call and then call us off than not call and call too late.

Stevens County

Fire Danger: MODERATE
Remarks: Effective 9/28/18 at 12:01 AM, The fire danger rating in Stevens County is Moderate. All burning on DNR jurisdiction is prohibited. This includes rule burning and permit burning. Campfires are allowed in approved, designated campgrounds only.
DNR Region
Office Address: Northeast Region
225 S Silke Rd.
Colville WA 99114-0190
Phone: (509) 684-7474
E-mail: northeast.region@dnr.wa.gov

There is going to be a public meeting to discuss Hazzard Mitigation for Ferry County.

Taking place at the Barstow station, Friday, September 28, 2018.  6:30 PM

25266 Hwy 395N kettle Falls, Wa.
Friday September 28th

OLYMPIA – Effective Monday, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will make the following fire danger rating and industrial fire precaution level changes (IFPL) on DNR-protected lands.

Effective Monday, Aug. 13, 2018:

• Fire danger will increase to a “very high” in Spokane and Stevens (inside Fire Districts 1 and 2) counties.

• The IFPL will increase to a Level 3 in zones 687, 678W, 678E, 685.

• The IFPL will increase to a Level 2 in zone 688.

Fire danger will continue as “very high” in Okanogan and Lincoln counties and “high” in Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens (outside Fire Districts 1 and 2) counties.

In zones 684 and 686, the IFPL will remain at a Level 3.

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.

These changes are following a statewide outdoor burning ban across state-protected lands issued by Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz on Aug. 2, 2018.

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, industrial and forest landowner 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

DNR’s wildfire leadership and mission

Led by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 13 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned land. DNR is the state’s largest wildfire fighting force.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Janet Pearce
Communications Manager
360-902-1122
janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov

Guy Gifford

Public Information Officer

509-990-6218

guy.gifford@dnr.wa.gov

Your fire department relies on volunteers from the community to fight fires and respond to medical emergencies.  These days, fewer and fewer are answering the call.

It is a high calling, The Bravest.  If you have this calling, consider joining and serve your neighbours.

NOTICE AND ORDER

By order of the Stevens County Fire Marshal, and pursuant to Resolution 47-2008, adopted in regular session of the Board of County Commissioners on June 30, 2008,

OPEN BURNING is hereby ordered discontinued in the unincorporated areas of Stevens County  to include recreational fires until further notice effective August 1st, 2018, unless this order is otherwise lifted or permitted by law or authorized agencies.  Open burning is any fire other than those permitted below:

 This order is not intended to preclude the use of barbecue grills for the purpose of food preparation only.  A water source must be readily available within 25 feet. 

Violations of this order shall be investigated and prosecuted by the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office/Stevens County Fire Marshal, and the Stevens County Prosecuting Attorney pursuant to the provisions of IFC Section 109, or other applicable state law.  Any person(s) conducting open burning who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such burning when ordered or notified to do so shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

A violation of this order is a misdemeanor and shall be punishable upon conviction by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.  (Stevens County Building Code Ordinance 02-1984 Section 7).

       Signed and so ordered this 31st day of July, 2018.

     Kendle Allen   

   _____________________________________ 

        Kendle Allen   Stevens County Sheriff/Fire Marshal