How to Protect Land From Fire in Washington
- 1). Do not start a campfire in undesignated areas. If you are on private land, you must request the owner's permission and follow all burn guidelines for the county, which can be found on the county's website or at the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WSDNR) site. On state land, fires are only allowed in designated areas, usually marked by fire rings or pits. Check the individual park website for current restrictions on national park lands, such as the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest or the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Check the website of the county or recreational area you intend to visit for the fire danger level and specific precautions before you begin your trip, as these may change from the general guidelines in times of high fire danger.
- 2). Stay near your campfire the entire time it is burning and keep a water bucket and shovel on hand to put it out should it burn out of control. Do not fall asleep or leave with the fire still burning and do not leave a child or other person incapable of putting out the fire as the only attendant.
- 3). Keep campfires less than three feet wide and over 10 feet from tents or other flammable objects. Put out campfires by thoroughly dousing them with water and stirring the coals with a shovel, recommends the WSDNR.
- 4). Avoid smoking while camping or dispose of cigarette butts in a cup of water rather than tossing them out of car windows or on the ground.
- 5). Keep cars away from dry plant material to avoid starting a fire through heat or sparks and keep all off-road vehicles away from dry areas. The WSDNR requires working spark arrestors on off-road vehicles.
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