DNR Urges Fire Safety For Memorial Day Weekend

OLYMPIA, WA — This Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be a great time to get out and enjoy the start of a warm, gorgeous summer. But the last thing your long weekend needs is a wildfire, warns the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“After a record wetting spring, we’re already starting to see signs of drying out,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “This summer is still expected to be warmer and drier than normal, setting the stage for active fire danger.”

The DNR says that, despite our recent bout of soggy weather, experts are still predicting an uptick in wildfire activity over the coming few weeks. The DNR is pre-positioning aircraft and equipment across the state to battle any fires that do crop up, but it's also asking everyone to be extra careful if they're camping or cooking outdoors this holiday weekend— especially because debris burning remains the biggest human causes of wildfires in Washington.

“When spending time outdoors this holiday weekend, be aware of your surroundings and avoid activities that could be potential fire hazards as temperatures continue to get warmer,” Franz said. “Our first responders are at risk every time they go out on a call, and it’s our responsibility to keep them safe by preventing wildfire during what could be an especially hot and dry summer.”

Here are a few fire safety tips for your Memorial Day celebrations, courtesy of the DNR:

• Douse your campfire with water before leaving it – if it’s still warm to the touch, it’s not safe to leave;
• Never leave a burn pile unattended – have a hose ready should the fire escape the boundaries;
• Never drag chains connecting a trailer to your car – the sparks can start a wildfire;
• Target shooting into areas with dry grass is never a good idea – exploding targets are illegal on DNR-protected lands and should be used with extreme caution where allowed;
• Watch the weather – windy conditions around a debris burn pile can cause nearby trees and grasses to catch fire and spread quickly; and
• Play it safe – if you have any doubts about keeping a fire contained, whether it’s a campfire or burn pile, don’t light the fire.

As wildfire season draws closer, the Department of Natural resources says it will have better predictions of how this year's fire season will unfold. However, current indications predict an average fire season, though that's largely dependent on the weather and lightning strikes. Even an average season would be a significant improvement over last year, which saw some record-breaking blazes to accompany the record-breaking heat waves.