Washington DNR Extends Burn Ban, Plans Wildfire Workshop
Forest landowners are invited to the Oct. 13 workshop to discuss assessing fire severity and vegetation impacts.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently extended the statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands through Oct. 7 on both sides of the Cascades, saying weather conditions remain too dry to allow outdoor burning. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level levels for logging and industrial operations in the woods were lowered in some areas of the state, however.
IFPL levels apply to all industrial operations that may cause a fire on or adjacent to lands protected from fire by DNR.
The department also announced it will host a free workshop Oct. 13 along with WSU Extension and other partners for all forest landowners in the affected areas of the Taylor Bridge and Table Mountain wildfires. Without active management after a wildfire, it could take decades to reestablish desired vegetation, if at all, according to its notice.
The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Unionville Ranch and will help the landowners assess wildfire impacts and provide ideas and resources for restoring forest and rangeland. Information about reducing wildfire risk to forest property will be included.
Sponsors include DNR, Washington State University Extension, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kittitas County Conservation District, and Kittitas County.