Outdoor fires banned, burning permits suspended

Fire marshal: ‘Much of the material on the forest floor is as dry as kiln-dried lumber’

PORT ORCHARD — The Kitsap County Fire Marshal implemented a Phase One burning ban effective 12:01 a.m. July 15.

“Outdoor burning bans have become commonplace during summer months and into the fall due to our nice summer weather,” Fire Marshal David Lynam said in an announcement issued by his office. “The warm, dry conditions have overcome our wet winter and now much of the material on the forest floor is as dry as the kiln-dried lumber we buy in a lumber yard.”

As of 12:01 a.m., burning permits are suspended and all outdoor burning throughout the county is prohibited except for campfires in designated areas at campgrounds and small recreational fires on residential property. The prohibition on outdoor burning in Kitsap County is in coordination with the state Department of Natural Resources and neighboring counties of Mason, Pierce, King and Snohomish.