News Release

Help Prevent Wildfires at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

Firefighters putting out a wildfire in the pine trees

NPS

News Release Date: August 3, 2020

Contact: Denise Bausch, 509-754-7830

According to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, 85% of all wildfires in Washington State are caused by humans. Already this summer season we have had five wildfires started on National Park Service lands at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. One of those was caused by a lightning strike, the other four were caused by humans either through the illegal use of fireworks or unattended campfires. There is not much land between the park and our private neighbors. Fires can quickly spread from National Park Service lands private property destroying private homes and businesses.

Help us prevent human caused wildfires. Call 911 to report a fire or if you see suspicious or illegal fire activity or use of fireworks on public lands. Use the Washington State Department of Natural Resources arson tip line (1-800-552-7766) or report forest fires by calling 1-800-562-6010.

According to the Washington Department of Ecology here are some other things you can do to help prevent wildfires:

• NEVER throw cigarettes out your car window.
• Don’t park hot vehicles in the grass
• Make sure trailer chains don’t drag on the ground causing sparks.
• Adhere to burn and open fire bans
• Report illegal burning
• When allowed, fully extinguish campfires so that they are cold to the touch

For more information visit: Washington Department of Natural Resources (https://www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-and-services/wildfire-resources) and the Washington Department of Ecology (https://ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Climate-change/Climate-change-the-environment/Wildfire-risks)