Environmental

Ideal weather conditions for wildfires prompted the ban ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.

As of this year, the updated laws include sky lanterns that are anchored by a string or cord.

As the days get longer, hotter and drier, foliage begins to dry out. Those drier conditions, along with the summer campfires and lightning strikes, are a tinderbox for wildfires.

The funds will go toward hundreds of green-energy projects throughout Washington from electric school buses to solar and heat pump installations and energy credits.

As part of an inter-regional agreement, officials in Washington and nearby Canadian provinces can request or send assistance in the event of a forest fire.

Emergency drought declarations are activated when the water supply in any region falls below 75% of normal levels.

The study’s authors note that the fires produce negative impacts to human health and forest diversity.

Fishing is only allowed between the Memorial Highway Bridge in Mount Vernon to the Dalles Bridge at Concrete during the day.

Residents near the burn area may see smoky conditions and a drop in air quality.

The purchases total $1.1 million in funds that come from watershed fees on utility bills.