OLYMPIA –– Ninety-six percent of the state is experiencing drought-like conditions, which means a high risk of wildfires. In response, Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz is instituting a statewide ban on outdoor burning on the 13 million acres of forests and state parks under DNR fire protection.

The ban begins Thursday.

The burn ban does not include federally managed lands, such as national forests, national parks, national wildlife refuges, or other areas administered by federal agencies.

Campfires are still allowed in approved fire pits within some designated state, county, municipal or other campgrounds.

Included in the outdoor burning ban are burn piles, prescribed burns, and the use of charcoal briquettes.

“When the risk of wildfire is this high — and when so many of our firefighting resources are already committed — we must take significant steps to protect our communities and firefighters,” said Commissioner Hilary Franz.

The ban is expected to last through Sept. 30, but may be extended or shortened based upon ongoing fire conditions.

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 13 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned land and maintains the state’s largest wildfire fighting organization.