A total burn ban is now in effect for Island County and in Washington state parks and coastal beaches.

During the burn ban, the following are not allowed in Island County:

• No outdoor burning of natural debris, even with a permit;

• No open fires, including cooking fires, on both improved and unimproved lands, except for use of charcoal and gas barbecue grills on improved, noncombustible surfaces a minimum of 10 feet from natural vegetation.

Island County Sheriff Mark Brown said the ban is the result of atmospheric conditions resulting in reduced moisture levels, low humidity and warmer weather, combined with the reduced availability of fire-fighting resources.

The sheriff’s office asks that all burn ban violations be reported to 911.

Meanwhile, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced a statewide ban on campfires in all state parks and ocean beaches in the Seashore Conservation Area through Sept. 30.

The prohibition on campfires in state parks complies with an Aug. 17 announcement by the state Department of Natural Resources banning all outdoor fires on DNR-protected lands.

All of Washington state parks are under a Level 4 alert, meaning extreme fire ban or higher.

A Level 4 ban means fires are restricted to gas and propane self-contained camping stoves. No charcoal or wood fires will be allowed—even in state parks-designated fire rings.

Liquid or propane camp stoves, including gas-powered fire rings that do not use solid briquettes and have on/off controls, are permitted.