DNR: Humans to blame for 80 recent wildfires
Aug 26, 2016, 8:34 AM | Updated: 8:35 am
A wildfire at Anacortes’ Little Cranberry Park grew to five acres overnight – as another blaze in the series of fires across Washington state.
State officials are blaming most of the fires on people.
Key developments:
- The two-acre fire started on Thursday in Anacortes.
- No evacuations are in place.
- The Anacortes fire comes after a week of massive wildfires in Eastern Washington.
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports 97 percent of fires in the last week were started by humans.
The Anacortes Fire Department is not sure what exactly caused the Little Cranberry Park fire. The fire chief is warning people to stay off the trails in the area.
In a week full of wildfires, Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency earlier in the week for 20 Washington state counties after fires near the Spokane region destroyed more than a dozen homes.
Over the last six days, the DNR says they’ve responded to 82 fires, 80 of which were caused by human beings.
Amid burn bans in state parks, DNR fire leaders are again urging caution with the expected arrival of hot, windy weather.
“It is the personal responsibility of all Washingtonians to take seriously the possibility that working or playing outdoors can spark tragedy,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “Our firefighters work hard to protect our communities and our natural treasures. Don’t make their jobs any harder.”
The hot, dry weather makes it extremely easy for dry brush to ignite.
