HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 10 Change in Fire Danger Level and Burn Restrictions JEFFERSON COUNTY
11O,ART) OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Mark McCauley, County Administrator
FROM: Phil Cecere, Building Official Fire Marshal
DATE: 7/15/2024
SUBJECT: Review the July 10 change in fire danger level and burn restrictions, changing
from a moderate to high level.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Jefferson County Fire Marshal requests the Board of County Commissioners review a recent change in
the fire danger level from moderate to high.
ANALYSIS:
As a requirement of newly adopted JCC 8.72.040(1), the Fire Marshal shall report any change in tire danger
level to the Board following any change in fire danger level and corresponding burn restrictions. The Fire
Marshal has reviewed the order from the Washington State Public Lands Commissioner for a statewide
escalation of fire danger on public lands. In recognition of the order and after consultation with the Jefferson
County Fire Chiefs Association, the decision was made to increase the fire danger level to high.
Attached are the State of Washington Public Land Commissioner's order,Jefferson County Declaration of
Iligh Fire I Iazard and Jefferson County burn level graphics with restrictions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no direct fiscal impacts associated with this ordinance although efficiency would be improved.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board review the current changes and increase public awareness through
discussion in a public meeting.
REVIEWED BY:
Mark McCaule . ounty Administrator ate
Jefferson County Community Development
Office of the Fire Marshal
Phi1 Cecere
621 Sheridan St • Port"Townsend WA 98368
Desk: 360.379.4450 Web: https://co.jetierson.wa.us/1687
For immediate release July 10, 2024
The Jefferson County Fire Marshal and the Jefferson County Fire Chiefs are tasked with
instilling safeguards against hazards to life and safety from dangerous conditions
associated with fire, protecting residents, firefighters, emergency responders,
community assets, and property.
Due to current atmospheric and field conditions a DECLARATION OF HIGH FIRE
HAZARD is in effect. In coordination, County Fire Chiefs and the County Fire Marshal
agree that conditions warrant this declaration. Several factors are at play in this
decision, including but not limited to input received from DNR, ORCCA. NWS. and other
state, federal. and local agencies.
Chapter 8.72 JCC (Ordinance No. 04-0617-24) and Chapter 8.75 JCC define HIGH
FIRE HAZARD as "a period of hot, dry weather accompanied by low fuel moistures,
where fires start quickly. spread furiously, and burn intensely and are difficult to control
unless they are successfully attacked when the fires are small. It is during this period
that wildland fires can be expected, and fire growth will be accelerated."
During a declaration of HIGH FIRE HAZARD:
• Use of charcoal briquettes is prohibited, except for commercially made listed and
labeled barbeque devices located and used at a residence. JCC
8.72.040(5)(c)(i).
• Target shooting outside of gun ranges, and use of exploding targets or incendiary
ammunition isprohibited. Huntingis allowed in open areas. JCC
P
8.72.040(5)(c)(i).
• The discharge, manufacture, sale, storage, or transportation of fireworks is
prohibited. JCC 8.75.040(2).
• Outdoor burningis restricted; no recreational burning
This declaration is in effect until atmospheric and field conditions fall to an acceptable
level for a length of time to determine that the threat has lessened and that risk to
residents, property, and emergency responders has subsided to acceptable levels.
Phil Cecere, Jefferson County Fire Marshal
.1 tis oon.Statement -To preserve and enhance the quality of life in Jeffrson Count'by promoting a vibrant
economy,sound communities and a healthy environment.
NIMBER2 024 TT
STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Hilary S. Franz,Commissioner of Public Lands
WHEREAS. RCW 76.04 defines the lands within the State of Washington where the Department
of Natural Resources(DNR)is responsible for fire protection:and
WHEREAS.RCW 76.04 authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to regulate the use of
tire on the forest lands for which it has fire protection responsibility;and
WHEREAS. RCW 76.04 authorizes the Department of Natural Resources in times and localities
of unusual fire danger to prohibit the use of fire in those locations;and
WHEREAS,unusual fire danger exists and is forecast to continue through September 30,2024,
on forest lands protected by the Department of Natural Resources:and
WHEREAS,wildfires result in large expenditures of public funding that can be avoided through
prudent actions to prevent them:
THEREFORE,outdoor burning,the use of charcoal briquettes,and prescribed burns are banned
on all forest lands within the State of Washington under Department of Natural Resources fire
protection through September 30,2024.This date may be extended or shortened based upon
ongoing fire conditions.The following exceptions will apply:
1. DNR permitted prescribed fire for ecological purposes and community protection,when
conducted by trained professionals in compliance with all permit requirements including
smoke management(if applicable)and DNR regional approvals.
Effective 1:00 p.m..July 10,2024,this order takes precedence over and supersedes all other burn
bans currently in effect on forest lands within the state of Washington under Department of
Natural Resources fire protection.
Dated this 10th day of July 2024.
STATE OF WASHINGTON
z StONER DEPARTMENT OF NA RAL RESOURCES
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w Hilary S. nz
Commis er of Pu is Lauds
,'pS M'A& gip'
Jefferson County Community Development
'1; Office of the Fire Marshal
621 Sheridan St • Port I o nsend \t \ 9836N
www.co.jefferson.wa.us/1687 1360.379.4450
Jefferson County Fire Danger levels and Restrictions
Low Green Low fire risk, No restrictions.
When the fire danger is "low"it means that fuels do not ignite easily
MODFAATV -� win','.
from small embers, but a more intense heat source, such as
A`"°""' lightning may start fires in duff or dry rotten wood. Fires in open,
dry grasslands may burn easily a few hours after a rain, but most
0 Fire Danger:Low
wood fires will spread slowly, creeping or smoldering. Control of
fires is generally easy.
Allowed devices/activities: No restrictions,all lawful activities allowed
Please note that ONLY recreational fires are allowed in Urban Growth Areas
Urban growth area means land, generally including and associated with an incorporated city,
designated by a county for urban growth under RCW 36.70A.030
Moderate Blue July 1 County Wide Restriction of all Residential Burning and Land
Clearing burning fires or as otherwise directed based on
atmospheric and field conditions. No other restrictions.
LOW kA1NlN[ When the fire danger is "moderate" it means that fires can start
from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is usually
Fire Danger:Moderate pretty low. if a fire does start in an open, dry grassland, it will burn
and spread quickly on windy days. Most wood fires will spread
slowly to moderately. Average fire intensity will be moderate
except in heavy concentrations of fuel, which may burn hot. Fires
are still not likely to become serious and are often easy to control.
Prohibited devices/activities:Burn barrels, land clearing or yard debris burning, sky lanterns
High Yellow When the fire danger is "high",fires can start easily from most
causes and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite
AIOI:INI-1 - -. vre.1.GM readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires ore likely to
escape. Fires will spread easily, with some areas of high-intensity
burning on slopes or concentrated fuels. Fires can become serious
0 Fire Danger:High and difficult to control unless they are put out while they are still
small.
No person shall operate or use any device liable to start or cause fire in or upon a "high"fire
hazard. Restricted Open Flame Devices. No Wood, Charcoal Cooking Fires (BBQ). Tiki Torches.
Liquid Fuel Candles or Lanterns. Gas or Propane Fired Weed Burners. Discharge of Fireworks of
Any Type. Discharge of Fire Arms (Open Lands) - Undeveloped Lands of Jefferson County. Only
Gas or Propane Fueled Appliances. ONLY Wood or Solid Fueled Cooking Fire - Enclosed Flame
Only. (Example:—Pellet Fed or Propane Barbeque Grills, Smokers.)
Prohibited devices/activities:Fireworks, charcoal grills, exploding targets, incendiary
ammunition,firearm discharge on unimproved county lands, tiki style torches, no open flame
devices
Very High When the fire danger is "very high",fires will start easily from
most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and have a quick
increase in intensity, right after ignition. Small fires can quickly
become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity, such as long-
, — [IfT6 MI
distance spotting and fire whirls. These fires can be difficult to
0 Fke Danger:Very High control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires.
No person shall build, ignite, or maintain any outdoor fire of any
kind or character, or for any purpose whatsoever, in a Very High
fire hazard area. No Outdoor Burning or Discharge of Fire arms.
ONLY Gas or Propane Fueled Appliances.
Prohibited devices/activities:No open or enclosed flame devices other than UL listed
residential propane or wood pellet grills
Extreme Red No Outdoor Fire, Burning, or Discharge of Any kind or Type.
When the fire danger is "extreme",fires of all types start quickly
and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious and can spread
Ex UMI very quickly with intense burning. Small fires become big fires
much faster than at the "very high"level. Spot fires are probable,
0 Fire Danger:Extreme with long-distance spotting likely. These fires are very difficult to
fight and may become very dangerous and often last for several
days
Allowed devices/activities: No allowed devices at this level FULL BAN on any fire or burning related
activity
Open burning, residential burning or land clearing burning will be prohibited during any period
of impaired are quality as designated by ORCAA or the Department of Ecology or during times of
high fire danger
Questions about des ices or activities not listed please contact the Fire Marshal's Office or
your local Fire District