As we welcome the warm embrace of summer in Washington, outdoor enthusiasts are reminded to temper their open-flame revelries with a dose of fire safety vigilance. The Washington State Fire Agencies reported 2,652 outdoor fire incidents in 2024, underscoring the importance of precautionary measures during this dry season. According to a media release from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, before lighting up that barbecue or circling the fire pit, residents must check current burn bans and adhere to local fire restrictions, subject to change with the shifting weather and the lurking threat of wildfires, per the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Those planning to engage in outdoor burning must stay on top of the latest updates; the Department of Natural Resources Burn Portal provides real-time information on your county's fire restrictions and burn bans. From cleaning your grill to prevent grease fires to placing campfires safely from combustibles, following these guidelines can mean the difference between a summer of memories and one of missteps. Fire pits should be positioned at least 10 feet from homes, decks, and other structures that could catch a flame with a sudden, inopportune gust of wind.
The reminder rings clear: never leave a fire unattended, keep a reliable water source or fire extinguisher within arm's reach, and fully extinguish flames before walking away—drench with water and stir until peace of mind takes the form of cooled ashes. The State Fire Marshal's Office, reachable at (360) 596-3904, sits at the ready to dispense additional counsel on the art of safe outdoor burning, so a call could be all that separates a controlled blaze from a call to emergency services.
For those who gauge the skies, heed this: Check weather conditions before any pyrotechnic endeavor, especially when the air is arid or the zephyrs grow mischievous. But have an alternative plan ready because sometimes nature conspires to upset our best-laid schemes, and in such times, the prudence of adaptability overshadows the allure of the outdoors. Maintaining a balance between enjoyment and environmental responsibility remains the collective charge, as much a part of summer traditions as the fire-kissed foods and the stories shared under the starlit sky.
