Skamania County commissioners voted Tuesday to extend an emergency small debris burn ban on the county’s east side through 11:59 p.m. June 30.

The extension followed a presentation from Fire Marshal Arnold Bell, who told the board the county had instituted an East County small debris burn ban on June 2 because “the fire metrics … are coming up, and it’s continuing to go in the wrong direction.” He said the ban covers the east side from the Dog Mountain line east and named Cook, Melee, Willard and Underwood as included communities.

The ban is an interim emergency action the marshal asked commissioners to extend until the county’s standing burn-ban ordinance takes effect. Bell warned high winds are a key risk and said the geographic line chosen is intended to avoid a situation where residents on opposite sides of the same street would be subject to different rules. “We felt it necessary to institute that, and I would like for you guys to extend it to the June,” Bell said during his briefing.

Commissioners made and seconded a motion to extend the East Side small debris burn ban; after the board called for the vote, the chair announced “Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion carries.” The extension takes effect immediately and remains in place until the ordinance-level ban supersedes it.

The item was discussion and a formal directive: emergency restrictions were extended by a board vote. The fire marshal and county staff will continue to monitor conditions and may institute additional emergency restrictions if fire metrics or winds change.

Community members and a commissioner noted recent pile fires and strong winds last week as evidence supporting the extension. The board did not change the geographic boundary Bell recommended, and enforcement will be handled under county authority.

The county did not specify a detailed enforcement schedule or the precise number of votes on the record beyond the board’s affirmative vote.