The Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s Office announced that a countywide Phase I burn ban began at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 12.

The ban will limit outdoor burning to recreational campfires and approved locations and devices.

Backyard burning and burning for purposes of clearing land are prohibited and previously approved burning permits will be suspended until the ban is lifted.

Recreational fires must be 3 feet or less in size and contained within a designated fire pit and fed with only charcoal or dry firewood (no milled lumber). All fires must be constantly attended until completely extinguished and there must also be at least one piece of on-site fire-extinguishing equipment while the fire is burning.

“Drying trends and higher temperatures in the weather forecast, as well as an increased number of brush fires in recent weeks, particularly from escaped burn piles” were to blame for the ban, said Kitsap County Fire Marshal David Lyman.