HomeMy WebLinkAboutDISCUSSION Fire Danger JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Mark McCauley, County Administrator
FROM: Phil Cecere, Fire Marshal
DATE: June 23,2025
RE: Discussion re: Declaration of High Fire Danger
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Jefferson County Fire Marshal has recently declared a High Fire Danger to take effect
June 25, 2025. Public notice and report to the Commissioners is required following a change in
fire danger rating per JCC8.72.040 (1). This has implications and restrictions to some activities
for residents and visitors to Jefferson County.
ANAYLSIS:
The Jefferson County Marshal called a meeting with the Fire Chiefs and fire service partners on
June 18, 2025. As a result,the decision was made to raise the fire danger rating to high,taking
effect June 25, 2025, to aid in messaging. A declaration was prepared and a social media
campaign was launched. In a period of declared high fire danger all residential burning, target
shooting outside of gun ranges including use of exploding targets, and charcoal grills not at a
residence are prohibited as well as sales transport and discharge of fireworks.
Public outreach campaigns, including traffic information signs posted at the entrances to East
Jefferson County were suggested at a workshop earlier this year. Co-branded social media
packets and printable PDF fliers with QR codes linked to the Fire Marshal webpage were
distributed to fire service partners for consistency of messaging. In previous firework
prohibitions the sheriff noted that a lot of enforcement effort was spent on visitors to Jefferson
County that claimed unfamiliarity with the regulations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact to Jefferson County.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Board discuss the recent declaration of High Fire Danger and take possible action for
increase in public awareness.
REVIEW D BY:
efro/25-
•
Mark McCauley, my Administrator Date
Jefferson County Community Development
Office of the Fire Marshal
Phil Cecere
621 Sheridan St • Port Townsend WA 98368
Desk: 360.379.4450 Web: wwww.co.jefferson.wa.us/1687
For immediate release effective June 25, 2025:
DECLARATION OF HIGH FIRE HAZARD FOR ALL OF
UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON COUNTY
The Jefferson County Fire Marshal and the Jefferson County Fire Chiefs are the leading
agencies responsible for instilling safeguards against hazards caused by dangerous conditions
associated with fire. A declaration of high fire hazard is necessary to protect residents and
property, and preserve local resources for firefighters and first responders in Jefferson County.
Due to current atmospheric and field conditions, a DECLARATION OF HIGH FIRE HAZARD is
in effect. The County Fire Marshal and the County Fire Chiefs agree that conditions warrant this
declaration. Factors considered include, but not limited to, input received from DNR, ORCCA,
NWS, and other State, Federal and local agencies.
JCC 8.72.020(2) and JCC 8.75.020(9) 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, the following restrictions apply:
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 IS PROHIBITED. HUNTING IS ALLOWED
IN OPEN AREAS. JCC 8.72.040(5)(C)(II).
THE DISCHARGE, MANUFACTURE, SALE, STORAGE, OR TRANSPORTATION OF
FIREWORKS IS PROHIBITED. JCC 8.75.040(2).1
ALL ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED DURING MODERATE FIRE HAZARD
JCC 8.72.040(5)(B)(II) AND LOWER LEVELS CONTINUE TO APPLY.
' Note that this prohibition does not apply to the exceptions listed in JCC 8 75.040(2)(a)-(h) including "the storage
or transportation of consumer fireworks;" "the transportation of fireworks through the county as part of interstate
commerce;" or"the public display of fireworks by persons with the appropriate state licenses." "Fireworks" has the
same meaning as in RCW 70.77.126. "Consumer fireworks" has the same meaning as in RCW 70.77.136.
At this time, all RECREATIONAL BURNING IS BANNED. Only gas or propane fueled
appliances and wood or solid fuel (wood) appliances with an enclosed flame are allowed (no
charcoal cooking). Residential use purpose-built barbecue devices are allowed at a place of
residence only. Charcoal or wood barbecue device use at Jefferson County parks, camping, or
beaches continues to be PROHIBITED. No discharge of firearms on undeveloped lands of
Jefferson County is allowed. FIREWORK USE IS PROHIBITED. These restrictions could be
extended depending on ongoing conditions.
This declaration is in effect until atmospheric and field conditions fall to an acceptable level for
a measurable length of time to determine that the threat has lessened and that the risk to
residents, property and first responders has subsided to acceptable levels.
e
Phil Cecere
Jefferson County Fire Marshal