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Monday July 02, 2018 08:39 PDT Friday June 29, 2018 * WDFW NEWS RELEASE WDFW restricts fires, other activities in eastern Washington wildlife areas OLYMPIA – The arrival of hot, dry weather has prompted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to restrict fires and other activities beginning June 30 on agency-managed lands in eastern Washington. Cynthia Wilkerson, manager of the WDFW Lands Division, said the department is taking steps to reduce the risk of fire in state wildlife areas and access areas. "Following fire restrictions and exercising common sense are the most important steps people can take to preserve public recreation lands and wildlife habitat," Wilkerson said. The department has issued an emergency order that imposes restrictions beginning June 30 on agency lands east of the Cascades. The new rule prohibits: Fires or campfires, including those in fire rings, although personal camp stoves and lanterns fueled by propane, liquid petroleum, or liquid petroleum gas are allowed. Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle. Welding and operating chainsaws. Operating a torch with an open flame and all equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited. Operating a motor vehicle away from developed roads. Parking is permitted within designated parking areas, including developed campgrounds and trailheads; and in areas without vegetation that are within 10 feet of roadways. Fireworks are prohibited year-round at all 33 WDFW wildlife areas and 700-plus water access sites around the state. Throwing a lit cigarette or any other burning material from a motor vehicle on a state highway also is prohibited year-round. WDFW owns and manages over 700,000 acres in eastern Washington. The restrictions in these areas will remain in effect until conditions improve and the risk of wildfires decreases, Wilkerson said. Any changes will be posted on the department's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov. For more information about fires and fire prevention on public lands, visit the Washington Department of Natural Resources' website (http://www.dnr.wa.gov) or the U.S. Forest Service website (http://www.fs.usda.gov). -WDFW- (* notice is dated 06/02/18 but was not emailed until 07/02/18 *)

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Monday October 1, 2018 15:17 PDT WDFW NEWS RELEASE WDFW lifts fire restrictions on most lands in eastern Washington OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has lifted fire restrictions on most department-managed lands in eastern Washington, where cooler temperatures and high humidity have reduced fire danger. Cynthia Wilkerson, manager of WDFW’s Lands Division, said the department’s action is consistent with the recent lifting of fire restrictions by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which provides fire protection for many state wildlife areas. "This change reflects an easing of fire danger in eastern Washington, but we still urge campers and anyone else heading outdoors this fall to be extremely cautious with campfires and any other activity that could spark a wildfire," Wilkerson said. She noted, however, that some localized restrictions will remain in place, including a campfire ban through Oct. 15 at all WDFW wildlife areas in Benton, Franklin, Yakima, and Kittitas counties. Similarly, a campfire ban is in place at the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area in Grant and Adams counties through Oct. 31. In addition, local DNR restrictions may still be in place. Any further updates will be posted on WDFW's website at https://wdfw.wa.gov. For more information on fire danger in Washington and any local restrictions, visit the DNR website at https://www.dnr.wa.gov/. WDFW owns and manages over 700,000 acres in eastern Washington and about a million acres statewide. Maps and comprehensive information about WDFW's wildlife areas can be found at https://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/. -WDFW-