Smoky skies

Islanders woke up to smoky skies the morning of July 5 after a fire on Portage Island, which is near Lummi Island. While that blaze has been extinguished, there are currently 69 fires in British Columbia that is causing hazy, smoky air.

“We don’t know when at this point will clear up,” said Acting Fire Chief Mik Presyz for Orcas Island. “Those who have allergies or asthma are encouraged to stay indoors.”

Other fires

At 6:30 a.m. on July 3, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a wildland fire in the area of Mountain Lake.

Responding crews found a small vegetation fire approximately 40 feet by 30 feet.  An immediate response from more than 25 personnel and eight apparatus helped to quickly secure and suppress the fire scene.  State Park crews will be monitoring the area for a minimum of seven days.  There will also be signs posted in the area for hikers to be on lookout for area hot spots.

The exact cause of the fire is human caused, likely from cigarette butts.  Preliminary reports indicate this was a fire in the forest duff.  Duff is the layer of decaying forest litter consisting of organic material such as pine needles, leaves, plant and tree materials covering the mineral soil.

Fire ban

The San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office in partnership with the San Juan County Fire Chiefs’ have determined that current weather conditions within the islands have created substantial fire dangers and that there is a need to enact restriction on outdoor burning to all lands regulated by the county.  This ban applies to all outdoor burning, including land clearing, yard debris and recreational fires.  The use of gas, charcoal and propane self-contained stoves and barbeques will continue to be allowed under the ban.