Emergency Burn Ban Extended
Effective until August 31st
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, July 12, 2021
Contacts: Chris Pedersen, Yakima County Fire Marshal 509-574-2300
Jacob Clay, Public Information Officer 509-574-2300
YAKIMA, WA - The Yakima County Fire Marshal has extended the county-wide burn ban for unincorporated Yakima County. The burn ban, declared on June 24, will remain in effect until Tuesday, August 31, 2021 when conditions will be reevaluated.
The extremely hot, dry conditions led Fire Marshal Chris Pedersen to extend the ban on all open burning in the unincorporated areas of Yakima County. All outdoor burning, including bonfires and recreational fires are prohibited.
“We continue to experience unfavorable weather and wildfire season is now in full swing with the 12,000+ acre Burbank Fire east of Selah,” stated Pedersen. “Extending the burn ban allows us to continue to focus public resources to fight wildfires.”
Yakima County joins other state and local agencies to try and reduce the risk of wildfires. On July 6th a state of emergency was declared by Washington State which issued a statewide burn ban until September 30, 2021. Kittitas, Klickitat, and Chelan County have also issued burn bans.
Outdoor burning in violation of the local ban may be subject to a fine of $1,000, arrest, and/or jail and should be reported to the Yakima County Sheriff's Office at (509) 574-2500.
The ban may be extended if the County continues to experience extremely high temperatures.
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