Skamania County commissioners on Tuesday voted to extend a full burn ban for the county’s East Side, citing sustained high FireMatrix risk scores and the need for continuity with partner agencies.

Public Works Director David Ingmar and Fire Marshal Arnold Bell presented the staff recommendation and FireMatrix data behind the decision. Ingmar said the county had moved to “data based decisions instead of emotional decisions” and that the county’s process requires the board to extend any ban the marshal initially imposes. Bell described the current metric trend, saying it “shot clear up to 4.9. The threshold is 4.25,” and that forecasts showed the East Side would likely remain at or above that threshold unless significant weather changes occur.

The new ban applies to the East Side under county code 81404. Commissioners emphasized the ban ties to the county’s published metric and fireworks restrictions, and they discussed coordination with adjacent agencies. Bell and Ingmar said they are working to restore regular interagency communications with the U.S. Forest Service and the Washington Department of Natural Resources after staff turnover interrupted previous coordination efforts. Commissioner Grace said she supported the marshal’s recommendation but asked staff to ensure the metric stays a “living document” that accounts for partner agencies’ bans and local conditions.

The board approved a motion, made and seconded on the record, to extend the East Side full burn ban per county code 81404. Chair Leckey called for the vote; the motion carried with the majority voting aye.

Fire staff stressed the extension is tied to measured conditions. Bell noted occasional short dips below the threshold but said those drops have not persisted: “You can see it kinda goes up and down there. It goes 4.9. It drops down to, 3.6 and shoots right back up,” and added that analyses will be refined with more data and partner feedback. Commissioners directed staff to continue outreach to the Forest Service, DNR and other partners so enforcement messaging and public notices are consistent across jurisdictions.

The extension will remain in effect until conditions change and the board is presented with a new recommendation to lift or revise it.