Kitsap County raises its burn ban to Phase 2, prohibiting nearly all recreational outdoor fires

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. -- The burn ban in Kitsap County was elevated Friday to Phase 2, which prohibits all types of recreational outdoor fires except for those using propane-fired appliances and barbecues with charcoal briquettes.

It is effective immediately.

“The spread of yesterday’s half-acre fire in Hansville shows how dangerous conditions have become," said King County Fire Marshal David Lynam in announcing the elevated burn ban.

The Hansville fire at Point No Point Park scorched nearly a half-acre of vegetation and driftwood, he said, and required 20 firefighters to work on it for more than 12 hours.

Officials haven’t been able to determine an exact cause for the blaze, but say that there’s evidence suggesting that it was sparked by either an improperly extinguished beach fire or fireworks. Both activities are prohibited in Kitsap County’s parks.

Showers and cooler temperatures are forecast for the weekend.

But Lynam said, “It’ll take much more than a few showers to improve conditions. It took a long time to create this situation; it will take a long period of cooler temperatures and a lot of rain to make it better.”

He said that for more information, contact your local fire department or call the Kitsap County Fire Marshal's Office at 337-5777.