Burn ban in state parks through Sept. 30

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has announced a statewide ban on campfires in all state parks and ocean beaches in the Seashore Conservation Area through Sept. 30 due to extreme heat and dry conditions. The ban is part of a statewide effort to prevent human-caused wildfires.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has announced a statewide ban on campfires in all state parks and ocean beaches in the Seashore Conservation Area through Sept. 30 due to extreme heat and dry conditions. The ban is part of a statewide effort to prevent human-caused wildfires.

The prohibition on campfires in state parks complies with an Aug. 17 announcement by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources that bans all outdoor fires on DNR-protected lands.

All of Washington state parks are under an “extreme” Level 4 fire ban or higher. A Level 4 ban means fires are restricted to self-contained gas and propane camping stoves. No charcoal or wood fires will be allowed – even in State Parks-designated fire rings. Liquid or propane camp stoves, including gas-powered fire rings, that do not use solid briquettes and have on/off controls are permitted.

State parks in or near Federal Way include Dash Point State Park (5700 SW Dash Point Rd., Federal Way) and Saltwater State Park (25205 8th Pl. S., Des Moines).

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Federal Way for Friday, Aug. 26, until 8 p.m. Temperatures Friday are expected to reach 91 degrees before cooling off to 75-degree highs through the weekend and on Monday.