As Grays Harbor eases once more into autumn like a ship sinking in the cold dark Pacific, the clouded, hazy darkness shadowing all and tearing us once more from the sun’s warm and caring embrace, the county has eased its burn bans to a restriction status.

Currently permitted are campfires on private land and on the beach, within guidelines. Yard waste fires and land clearing burns are still banned.

“Fall is here, it feels like,” said Aberdeen Fire Chief Dave Golding. “We’re getting more of that dew in the morning so the moisture content in the air is higher.”

Towns across the county followed the lead of the county fire marshal, who eased restrictions on Monday. The official start of fall is this Saturday.

“We tend to follow DNR’s lead on this,” Golding said. “They have a whole team of people that look into the factors involved.”

While campfires in private residences are okay’d, there are still a number of restrictions in place that if ignored, could result in a fine, Golding said.

“We have quite a few calls of people burning illegally,” Golding said. “That’s burning yard waste or trash or not understanding what the guidelines are.”

Beaches are also cleared, according to Washington State Parks. Fires must be 100 feet from vegetation, built in a four-foot-by-four foot firepit, and not taller than four feet.

The mid-September ease on the ban is about where it usually falls, Golding said.

For more information, check with your local fire department for the pertinent regulations for your city.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.