Higher than normal temperatures.

Lower than average rainfall.

It's a dangerous combination that's leading the Clark County Fire Marshal's office to initiate a burn ban--nearly a month earlier than normal.

Starting at 8 a.m. Monday, June 17th, all debris burning in Clark County is banned until further notice. 

Burn bans are not unique, but usually they start in mid-July and run until early October. This year, however, the forecast calls for drier than usual conditions. Recreational burning is still allowed--with a series of requirements. Debris, or "Slash" burning is always illegal in the city of Vancouver, and now will be in the rest of Clark County until there is enough rain and lower temperatures to insure safety against wildfires. Joining Clark is Skamania, Cowlitz, and Lewis counties is initiating burn bans. Pacific and Wahkiakum counties will be implementing bans on 6/21. Lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources are raising their wildfire danger level to "moderate".