The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Grand Coulee Dam area fire fighters are concerned because of the extreme, hot weather we have been experiencing, which is predicted to continue for the next 10 days.

Any fire activity will put extra stress on the firefighters because of the high temperatures. We are asking everyone to be extremely careful during all their outdoors activities. The probability of fire starts are extremely high from any ignition sources, even small sparks.

Fireworks need to be used very carefully; even legal “Safe and Sane” fireworks will start fires very easily. Please have a phone, water hose, water bucket and a shovel available if using fireworks. If a fire starts, call 911 immediately, do not delay. Better yet, this would be a great year to just enjoy the professional show off the top of the Grand Coulee Dam.

Because of the extreme dry and hot weather, there are fire bans statewide on all Department of Natural Resources-protected land; Grant County-wide for all fires except permitted agricultural fires and established campground fire pits, residential fire pits when surrounded with 25 feet of non-combustible material and a charged water line, with the fire attended at all times. Lincoln County Fire Districts have also instituted fire bans. Most of Grant County Fire District #14 and the cities of Grand Coulee and Electric City are covered by a year-round fire ban since 2007, imposed by Air Ecology and Growth Management rules.

Last year over Fourth of July weekend we had six fires in the area caused by fireworks. The conditions were not nearly as dry or extreme last year. Let’s shoot for a fire free Fourth of July Weekend! Enjoy a safe and fire free weekend. Keep hydrated!

(Reported on behalf of the Grand Coulee Dam Area Fire Chiefs.)