How to prevent wildfires while having fun outdoors this Labor Day weekend

SPOKANE, Wash. -- The holiday weekend is right around the corner, and for many, it means more time outdoors.

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The Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz is asking you to be extra vigilant in preventing wildfires during Labor Day weekend.

“Fire season is not over. Over the 2020 Labor Day weekend, more than 500,000 acres of land burned in just 36 hours,” Franz said. “We’ve seen firsthand that a single spark, in the right conditions, can make or break an entire fire season. Let’s ensure we’re not that spark this holiday weekend.”

With high and dry conditions in the forecast for this weekend, here are some tips for how you can recreate responsibly:

• Don't throw old cigarettes on the ground . Only dispose of lit cigarettes and other smoking materials in ashtrays or a cup of water so they don't ignite another source.
• Keep away from dry vegetation. Never park vehicles on dry vegetation and be sure to have a working spark arrestor on your off-road vehicles.
• Find campfire restrictions where you're camping. You can find current burn restrictions in Washington State here.
• Keep a shovel and water close by your campfire. Use the water to drown out the campfire and the shovel to stir water and coals to cool it down.
• Completely put out the fire before you leave. Keep the fire small; The Washington Department of Natural Resources said a small fire surrounded by rocks gives plenty of heat.

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