Human activity and lighting strikes are the primary causes of our wildfires. We can’t control lightning strikes, but we can change our behavior in high-risk wildfire areas.
In 2015, Washington had 1,084 wildfires caused by humans and 457 wildfires caused by lightning strikes.
Outdoor activities increase in the spring and summer, which brings more people out onto our landscapes. You can help limit the possibility of causing a wildfire by being aware of common causes.
When burning outdoors, be sure you know the rules and never leave your pile unattended. Also, be sure to burn only natural vegetation.
When building a campfire, be sure to keep safety in mind before, during and after you’ve built one. Simple steps can put your campfire completely out.
Today, most equipment requires the use of a spark arrestor. This is especially important when riding an ORV or working on the landscape, such as using chain saws, wheat combines, or other agricultural equipment.
Be aware of where you park in the forest. Don’t park on dry, grassy areas. Your hot muffler can touch a blade of grass and spark a wildfire.
Fireworks can easily start fires. Fireworks and exploding targets are not allowed on DNR-protected lands.
Want to learn more? Please visit DNR’s Wildfire Prevention webpage to learn more about how to prevent wildfire.
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