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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Enviro / The Weather Goldmark Asks for Public's Help Not to Start Fires

Posted by Goldy on Thu, Aug 16, 2012 at 10:57 AM

"The next three days are going to be very dangerous in terms of the potential for wildfire," Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark said in a press release. "That is true in Western Washington as well as Eastern Washington. It is everyone’s responsibility to be safe and not take any risks."

In other words, you know, don't start a fire.

Also, it's useful to keep in mind during the dry season that while only you can prevent forest fires, only the government is adequately equipped to fight them. You might want to remember that in November when you're asked to vote on Tim Eyman's latest initiative to make it impossible for the state to raise the taxes necessary to pay for things like putting out fires.

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Watch Eastern Washington burn!

Posted by Will in Seattle

on August 16, 2012 at 11:16 AM

What am I supposed to do with all these oily rags and drums of kerosene now?

Posted by mrbarky on August 16, 2012 at 11:22 AM

You can't stop me from starting fires! You can't oppress me like that! This is a free country!! FREEDOM OF SPEECH! FREEDOM OF SPEECH FREEDOM OF SPEECH FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Posted by Zebes

on August 16, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Well, there go my plans. Buzzkills.

Posted by Baby Blue on August 16, 2012 at 11:40 AM

Also, if you smoke and drive, don't toss your fucking butts out the window. (Don't do it on rainy days either, you littering dumbshit.)

Posted by Matt from Denver on August 16, 2012 at 11:43 AM

@5: The wife and I just drove from South Dakota back to Seattle last weekend. We saw a whooole lot of highway displays saying not to throw cigarettes out the window, because of the high wildfire danger. I wanted them to add "Plus it's just a shithead move anyway, come on."

Posted by Ben on August 16, 2012 at 11:52 AM

Blaming the inability to fight forest fires on lower taxes is idiotic. Blame kittens and puppies while you're at it, they don't pay taxes. If it's higher taxes you so desire TAX the forestry companies that make money off the National forests. Really tax them. You think Eyman puts up a fight. You ain't seen nothin yet.

Posted by Sargon Bighorn on August 16, 2012 at 1:36 PM

Just returned from camping creekside with the family in Eastern Washington, and got by without a campfire: my son put the portable gas BBQ on some rocks in the creek and we roasted marshmallows over that. There were so many bajillion stars in the sky that we didn't notice the lack of crackling wood.

Posted by kk in seattle on August 17, 2012 at 2:44 AM