EVERETT — The North Sound may have clouds and relatively cool temperatures right now, yet many areas currently have burn bans in place.
Both Snohomish and Island counties have stage one burn bans in place, meaning no open outdoor burning except for small recreational and cooking fires in approved fire pits. Skagit County plans a similar burn ban to go into effect on July 1, Wednesday.
All national parks in the state also have burn bans in place as well as many counties and cities across Western Washington.
Conditions across much of the North Sound are drier than average and the burn bans involve no open outdoor burning except for small recreational and cooking fires in approved fire pits. No open pile burning of any kind. For burn ban details, visit your local fire agency website.
For those camping, campfires are permitted only in fire pits. Authorities emphasize to ensure campfires are cold before leaving the campground.
Summer began a week ago with sunshine and quite warm conditions. More warm dry weather is anticipated through much of the summer.
This past winter’s mountain snowpack peaked at around 50 percent of normal around April 1st. As July 1 approaches, nearly all the snow has melted with the exception of the highest peaks such as Mt. Baker, and Mt. Rainier.
These outdoor burn bans are in place before this Saturday, the Fourth of July – the country’s 250th birthday. Fire and emergency response authorities strongly encourage people to visit local fireworks shows rather than light off fireworks in their neighborhood to avoid fires.
The weather expected on the Fourth looks to have the return of sunshine with temperatures warming into the lower 70s across much of the North Sound. Between now and then, only a few limited light showers are anticipated – not nearly enough to slow any fire starts.
Other steps to help avoid any fire starts include keeping burning materials inside vehicles and tighten tow chains to avoid creating sparks on the pavement that can start roadside fires.
About 4 out of 5 wildfires are started by humans. Eastern Washington has already had close to two dozen wildfires including one that burned some Spokane area homes just less than 2 weeks ago.
The latest seasonal weather outlook for this summer has the odds stacked in favor of warmer than average temperatures through September and drier than average conditions during the usually driest time of the year.
Thanks to the ongoing dry conditions, the burn bans are expected to remain in place to at least past the Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy this summer, just do so safely without any fire starts.
