Wildfire Danger Increasing on Key Peninsula as Summer Heats Up

Vegetation and wildland fires have occurred more frequently and earlier in the season on the Key Peninsula in recent years, according to Public Information Officer and Volunteer Battalion Chief Anne Nesbit of KP Fire District 16.

“All the models are predicting a big wildfire season for Western Washington this year,” she said. “So far, we have had small spot fires that haven’t needed anything more than a single engine response and they’ve been quickly handled.”

A burn ban went into effect in Pierce County June 7 prohibiting all but small recreational fires in fire pits. KPFD is not issuing burn permits. Burning yard waste or for land clearing is prohibited; burning garbage is always illegal.

“I think the danger is present every year and we’ve been very lucky because our community has been pretty good about being mindful of burn bans and taking care of their homes. But it’s dry already and it’s going to get worse, and now we’ve got fireworks to contend with.”

New county prohibitions restrict firework use to the hours of 10 a.m. to midnight July 4. “I posted the new law on the KPFD Facebook page; it’s up to the Pierce County deputies to enforce,” Nesbit said. The responses she received were not encouraging.

There’s a reason for the restrictions.

“Five years ago, on the Fourth, I personally responded to 15 calls, and they were all fireworks-related and took a couple of hours of work to put out fires that could’ve turned into more,” Nesbit said.

“I don’t want people running for the hills, but the potential for a wildland fire out here is high,” she said. “We’ve been really lucky, but it doesn’t mean it can’t happen here.”

Fighting a wildfire is substantially different than a structure fire.

“We always staff up for Fourth of July but we’re man-powered starved out here,” Nesbit said. “If we get a big fire, we have what it takes for the first wave. But you always need support, even big entities like Central Pierce need support if it’s going to go on for hours. You need a second and third wave. Wildland is a different kind of firefighting — it’s not a five-hour structure fire, it’s a three- or four-day event. That’s what I mean by support.”

South Sound 911 said July 4 is typically their busiest day of the year and should be used only for emergencies. Complaints about fireworks can be made to a non-emergency line: 253-287-4455 or 1-800-562-9800