The Grays Harbor County Fire Marshal’s Office, fire districts and fire departments will begin restrictions on outdoor burning beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday. All residential burning, including land-clearing burning, will be prohibited until further notice, according to a statement released Monday by the Fire Marshal’s Office.

Recreational campfires are allowed if built in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as those found in local, county, and state parks and in commercial campgrounds.

On private land, campfires are permitted with the landowner’s permission if built in the following approved manner:

• The campfire shall be no greater than 3 feet in diameter and constructed of a ring of metal, stone or brick 8 inches above ground surface with a 2-foot-wide area cleared down to exposed soil surrounding the edge of the pit.

• There must be a 10-foot area around the campfire cleared of all flammable material, and at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead flammable materials or fuels, like tree branches.

• The campfire must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old with the ability to extinguish the fire with a shovel and a five-gallon bucket of water or with a connected and charged water hose.

Completely extinguish campfires by pouring water or moist soil in them and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. The use of self-contained camp stoves is encouraged as an alternative.

On Monday, the City of Cosmopolis issued a ban on all outdoor burning due to the ongoing stretch of dry weather. Outdoor barbecues are allowed. According to a press release from the city, “This ban is issued under the authority of Fire Chief David D

utton and Mayor Frank Chestnut. This ban will remain in effect until further notice.”

For updates on burn restrictions contact the Grays Harbor County Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-249-4222 or the State Department of Natural Resources at 800-323-BURN or on their website at www2.wadnr.gov/burn-risk.

For more information on local fire restrictions, contact the Fire Marshal’s Office or the non-emergency number of your local fire district or department.