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@C_C_F_R
Ridgefield, WA-
Due to the extreme fire danger, recreational fires will be prohibited in the cities of La Center, Ridgefield, Woodland, and throughout unincorporated Clark County effective 12:01 am, Saturday, July 24, 2021.
This recreational fire restriction is in addition to the general outdoor burning prohibition that was implemented on June 25.
This is a proactive measure to limit the risk of fires spreading from escaped camp and recreational fires.
This ban joins with the ban imposed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources on their lands.
Division Chief Mike Jackson stated, “The extended hot and dry weather following an unusually dry spring has lowered fuel moistures increased the risk of fires spreading quickly in grass, brush, trees, and to nearby structures."
With no precipitation in the forecast and the expectation of temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s to continue, the ban will be in place until sufficient rainfall occurs to lower the risk.
Creating a defensible space around a home helps prevent wildfires from spreading to a residence, or vice versa. Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue and the County Fire Marshal recommend the following measures in both rural and urban areas:
- Remove fuel
- Within 3-5 feet of foundations, outbuildings, garages and sheds
- Within 10 feet of a house
- Under decks and porches
- From gutters, eaves, porches and decks
- Cut the lawn if it is brown. Dispose of debris and cuttings.
- Prune trees so lowest branches are 6-10 feet above the ground.
- Discard all smoking materials or fire debris in metal containers, away from structures.
- Landscape with native and flame-resistant plants.
Self-contained camp stoves and barbeques, which are not banned, are a safe and easy alternative to fire pits for outdoor cooking.
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Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) serves 40,000 people over 125 square miles, including the cities of La Center, Ridgefield, Woodland and the Cowlitz Indian Reservation. Our combination department includes full-time and volunteer firefighters responding to an average of 4200 fire and emergency medical calls a year. CCFR also provides a wide array of Community Risk Reduction programs including fire inspections, building plan reviews, and a Community Paramedic program. CCF&R operates under a balanced budget, and has a history of passing independent financial audits by the state.