Breaking News & Recent Updates:

7/31/08 - CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS IN CLE ELUM RANGER DISTRICT UPDATE (Update received after presstime for July 31 print issue.) Beginning Friday, August 1, 2008 campfire restrictions go into effect on the Naches Ranger District and the east side of the Cle Elum Ranger District. “We are at the point in our fire season where additional fire safety measures are necessary,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Bob Sheehan. The dry conditions now present a significantly higher risk from escaped campfires in those areas, he added. Under the new restrictions, campfires are prohibited everywhere on the Naches Ranger District except in the Goat Rocks, William O’Douglas, and Norse Peak Wilderness areas. On the Cle Elum Ranger District, campfires will still be allowed in some designated campgrounds and in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The restriction prohibits wood and charcoal fires; however, the use of pressurized liquid gas stoves is an acceptable alternative in areas where campfires are prohibited. Campfires are also still being allowed in most Wilderness areas because those lands are generally at higher elevations where temperatures are more moderate and moisture retention is greater. The new campfire restrictions do not alter those already implemented on the Wenatchee River, Entiat, and Chelan Ranger Districts, Sheehan said. Campfire restrictions have been in place on these three districts since July 2. “We very much appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation as added restrictions have become necessary to reduce the threat of wildfire on these national forest lands that are so valued for their natural resources and recreational opportunities,” said Sheehan.

7/7/08 - TOTAL BURN BAN Monday, July 7, Upper Kittitas County Fire Districts instituted a total burn ban. Gas fired barbecues are the only exception to the ban – charcoal briquettes are not permitted. SEE JULY 10 TRIBUNE FOR LIST OF INCLUDED DISTRICTS AND DETAILS. (UPDATED: SEE JULY 17 TRIBUNE.)

7/8/08 - INTERIM UPPER COUNTY EXEMPT WELL RULE SIGNED Wednesday, July 8 - An interim rule spelling out how underground water resources will be managed in Northern Kittitas County has been signed by Department of Ecology director Jay Manning. SEE JULY 10 TRIBUNE FOR SPECIFICS. UPDATED IN JULY 24 ISSUE.

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7/3/08 - KITTITAS COUNTY BURN BAN Effective Noon, Thursday, July 3, 2008 Kittitas County will be imposing a county wide burn ban. The burn ban does not include areas within the boundaries of Fire District 2 (Ellensburg area) and District 4 (Vantage area). Further, the burn ban does not include areas within incorporated cities. Cities will make their determination on an individual basis. All open burning is prohibited during the burn ban. Recreational fires as described in the attached memo are exempt from this burn ban.