*Additional writing by David Whiteside, Tennessee Riverkeeper

2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, an historic piece of legislation that turned the tide on our polluted waterways and began to hold big polluters accountable for their actions and impacts on the health of our communities. Because of the Clean Water Act, today we enjoy vastly improved water infrastructure and treatment, and a robust discussion thanks to citizen involvement in water management. As a direct result, our rivers no longer catch fire as the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland famously did in 1969.

Warm and extremely dry conditions are a dangerous combination in the Inland Northwest; so much so, that the Washington Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide burn ban.

The ban effects through the end of September for all DNR-protected lands. It includes all forest lands in Washington except for federal lands, which have their own published restrictions.

Campgrounds may have additional burn restrictions in place. Campers should check with their campground host before starting a campfire.

• Campfires are only authorized in approved camp grounds with approved fire rings. 

• Never leave a campfire unattended, and be sure it is completely dead out and cold to the touch before leaving the camp site.

• Be aware that common recreational activities can cause fires, such as target shooting, cigarette butts, and trailer chains dragging on concrete.

• Do not park any vehicles in dry, grassy areas, as the heat from exhaust systems can ignite the dry grass.

For tips on protecting your home and family before a wildfire, visit www.firewise.org. Check for fire danger levels by county: http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx

New state funding will help reduce the risk for fire in a neighborhood’s backyard. Department of Natural Resources is delegating $50,000 to the city of Spokane to hire contract workers to trim and prune the trees along the High Drive Bluff.

The contracted work will help up to 50 acres of the bluff stay healthy through vegetation trimming. After that work is complete, there will still be about 120 acres to go.

The process of trimming vegetation creates space between trees for aerial fuel breaks so if there is a fire, it can’t hop from tree to tree on the crown. The maintenance also reduces the risk of pine bark beetles and mistletoe.

DNR’s documented plan projects trimming about five feet between tree crowns, favoring Douglas Firs and Ponderosa Pine. Trees will be pruned at about ten feet high in the designated acreage and will live at least 50% live crown.

Debris from chippings will be scattered.