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Lewis County adopts annual burn restriction window, officials stress weather could change timing
Summary
Commissioners approved resolutions imposing outdoor burn restrictions effective annually between July 15 and Oct. 15 but county officials said actual start or lift dates can vary with weather and moisture conditions.
The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners approved resolutions imposing outdoor burn restrictions and establishing an annual window proposed for July 15 through Oct. 15, with the caveat that start or lift dates may change depending on weather and fuel moisture.
Doyle Sanford, Lewis County building official and fire marshal, told commissioners that "fuel moisture levels are down below 6%. With this hot dry weather, it's just time to stop the debris burning." Sanford and commissioners discussed the practical reasons for a repeatable annual window to help residents plan.
Sanford said fire chiefs had requested an annual restriction and noted that historically the county sometimes enacted restrictions earlier than July 15. He said the county monitors moisture levels and can enact or lift the ban earlier than the window if conditions warrant. A commissioner clarified for the public that the July 15 to Oct. 15 dates are year-by-year and can be changed based on weather; Sanford confirmed that the burn-permit process will reflect that information.
The board approved the set of deliberation resolutions, which included the burn restriction proposals, by a 3-0 vote.
