County Wide Burn Ban

 Heat advisory prompts county-wide outdoor burn ban

The Pierce County Fire Marshal has declared an immediate county-wide burn ban. Weather forecasts calling for continued dry heat prompted the limited ban, which was issued jointly with the Pierce County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
 
The indefinite ban applies to all outdoor burning except for small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved campgrounds or private property with the owner’s permission. The use of gas and propane self-contained stoves and barbeques will continue to be allowed under the ban. Those with DNR burn permits are advised to call 1-800-323-BURN for more information.
 
Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 80s to low 90s on both Saturday and Sunday and continuing into next week, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory. The Pierce County Department of Emergency Management is reminding residents to stay out of the heat as much as possible, stay hydrated and to check on elderly neighbors periodically during this time.
 
Vulnerable citizens and those seeking relief are encouraged to take advantage of cooler air in public buildings such as Pierce County libraries, local malls, movie theaters, and other large stores.
 
Other facilities offering cooler temperatures include:
 
Sprinker Recreation Center, 14824 S. C St., Spanaway
6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Mon - Sun

South Hill Mall, 3500 S. Meridian, Puyallup
10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Mon - Sat

Anderson Island Fire Department, 12207 Lake Josephine Blvd.
8 a.m.- 4 p.m. - Mon - Fri

Fife Community Center, 2111 54th Ave. E
8:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Mon - Thurs
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fri

City of Buckley Multi Purpose Center, 811 East Main
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Mon -Tues

Mid County Community Center, 10205 44th Ave. E in Tacoma
8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon - Thurs

Steilacoom Community Center, 2301 Worthington St
9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Mon - Thurs

Bonney Lake Senior Center, 19304 Bonney Lake Blvd
8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mon - Fri

Chapel Hill Church, 7700 Skansie Ave. Gig Harbor
9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat - Thurs
 
The following locations allow people and their domesticated pets to come in and get out of the heat. Pets need to be on a leash or in a crate and owners must provide water if they plan on being in the store for long periods of time.
 
Petco: hours may vary store to store
Petsmart: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Mon - Sat, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sun (all Petsmart stores in Pierce County)
VCA (Veterinary Centers of America) Pacific Animal Hospital, 10324 Pacific Ave. in Spanaway, open 24/7
 
According to the National Weather Service, a heat advisory is a prolonged period of hot temperatures. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
 
For more information on those most at risk and how to avoid heat-related illnesses visit the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department or the National Weather Service websites.