PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County’s fire danger risk levels will increase from low to moderate on June 1, a month before the county’s ordinance dictates an increase.
Phil Cecere, the county’s fire marshal, said during the board of commissioners’ meeting Monday that a county ordinance automatically pushes the fire danger level up to moderate from the beginning of July to the end of September.
“Sometimes that can get extended, sometimes that can get implemented early,” Cecere said.
Cecere outlined some of the changes occurring as the fire danger level transitions from low to moderate.
“When we go from a low, where we are now, to a moderate, all brush burning and all large burning is prohibited,” Cecere said. “You can still have recreational fires and campfires.”
Recreational fires are limited to a maximum of 3 feet by 3 feet, Cecere said.
During low danger levels, brush burning is allowed in a 10-by-10-foot area, he said.
Cecere stressed that those planning for brush burning between now and June 1 should exercise caution.
“We are in an abnormally dry time of year,” he said.
If the county escalates from moderate to high fire danger, fireworks and all outdoor burning will be affected, Cecere said.
During moderate danger levels, most outdoor burning is prohibited, but some recreational provisions are allowed, according to Jefferson County code 8.72.040, which outlines prohibitions based on danger levels.
“Outdoor burning is allowed on private residential premises or designated campsites where such fires are built, ignited, and maintained in a permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, or grill,” the code reads.
The moderate risk level also allows for portable fireplaces, pits and chimineas so long as they are placed on non-combustible materials, according to code. A chiminea is a free-standing portable fireplace with its own chimney.
Combustible materials must be removed down to mineral soil below portable fireplaces, pits and chimineas, and combustible materials must be removed from the surrounding area to a distance of 1 1/2 feet.
Only natural wood fuel sources can be used in portable fireplaces, pits and chimineas, and that fuel source cannot extend outside of the portable fireplace, pit or chimineas, according to code.
“There is some wetting that’s going to happen in the short term,” Cecere said. “In the long term, there’s not a whole lot of relief on the horizon. It’s going to get dryer from here on out.”
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@sequimgazette.com.
