By Brenda Starkey
Chronicle correspondent

     REPUBLIC – It’s been an early spring for area firefighters.
     John Foster of the state Department of Natural Resources said through the end of April in the DNR’s Highlands District there were 16 wildfires that burned more than 60 acres, he said.
     They were from landowner burns that escaped, often onto neighbors’ property. Some threatened homes before they were brought under control, he said.
     “This is the time of year folks want to work outside, spring cleaning their yards, driveways and fence rows, often by using fire,” Foster said. “Unfortunately many of these fires escape control of the burner, resulting in the fire district and/or Department of Natural Resources being called.”
     Recent fires, according to Foster, include:
     - The Franson Ghost Fire outside Curlew April 23. DNR responded to the illegal debris fire and issued a citation for violation of outdoor burning rules.
     - Chetwood Fire on Mount Hull April 21. DNR responded with Okanogan County Fire District No. 12 (Havillah) firefighters to the unextinguished debris fire. A citation was issued for infraction of outdoor burning rules.
     - The Havillah area Teas Fire also erupted on April 21. DNR and Okanogan County Fire District No. 11 (Molson-Chesaw) responded to the escaped yard debris fire.
     - On April 20, DNR, Republic and Curlew Fire Departments responded to Spring Ridge near Republic, with DNR issuing a violation of burn permit citation.
     - On the same day, a six-acre Rose Valley Fire, near Republic, brought out units from DNR and the Republic Fire Department. It was an escaped forest debris fire, and a negligent fire spread citation was issued.
     - On April 18, DNR and Okanogan County Fire District No. 16 (Aeneas Valley) responded to a 25-acre San Poil Fire in Aeneas Valley. A notice to extinguish and comply was issued.
     - Also on April 18, DNR and the Tonasket Fire Department controlled a two-acre Lemanasky Pines Fire near Tonasket. A notice to extinguish and comply was issued.
     - The Tonasket Creek Fire near Curlew charred a half-acre April 16 before DNR and Curlew Fire Department brought it under control. A notice to comply was issued.
     - A citation for negligent fire spread was issued following the Valley Fire near Tonasket on April 11. DNR and the Tonasket Fire Department responded to the seven-acre escaped debris fire.
     - DNR units responded to the Four Corners Fire in the Havillah area April 10, and a notice to extinguish and comply was issued.
     - Six acres burned near Republic April 7 in the Morning Glory fire. A notice to extinguish and comply was issued.
     - DNR and the Republic Fire Department extinguished a half-acre Torboy Fire near Republic April 6 when a slash pile burn escaped. There was no permit for the fire and citations were issued for willful setting of a fire and no valid burning permit.
     - An illegal broadcast burn caused the Blue Bannon Fire April 6. DNR responded to the blaze and issued a notice to extinguish and comply.
     - On March 30 an escaped field burn caused a five-acre brush fire near Whitestone and Spectacle lakes. DNR and the Loomis Fire Department were called.
     - DNR responded to a two-acre Revas Basin fire near Tonasket March 27. A notice to extinguish and comply was issued.
     - An orchard debris fire escaped and charred a half-acre near Oroville March 27. DNR and the Oroville Fire Department extinguished the blaze, and a citation for negligent fire spread was issued.
     It is a criminal violation to light a fire and have it escape control, Foster said.
     DNR has issued numerous criminal citations, which carry mandatory court appearances, and the department attempts to recover fire suppression costs, he said.
     “Some careless burners find themselves facing time in court, a potential criminal record, steep fines and a charge for suppressing the fires. The resulting costs can easily add up to thousands of dollars,” he said.
     A written permit is not required only if the following conditions are met:
     - Burn no more than one pile at any time and each pile must be completely extinguished before lighting another.
     - Create a fire break around the pile by constructing a barrier to bare mineral soil with no flammable material.
     - Keep a shovel and connected water hose or at least five gallons of water nearby.
     - A person capable of extinguishing the fire must be in attendance at all times while burning.
     - Burn only in calm or light winds. Don’t burn when the wind is swaying trees, extending flags or causing rough waves on the water.
     A permit is required if:
     - Any burning that cannot meet all the standards for no permit.
     - Burning of any machine-piled material.
     - A DNR permit is required for burning within 500 feet of forest slash piles and 50 feet of structures.
     - A DNR permit may be needed for burning debris from land clearing.
     People are asked to contact the DNR or state Department of Ecology to determine the type of permit needed.
     Anyone burning must call 800-323-BURN (2876) or visit http://fortress.wa.gov each day of ignition prior to lighting any fire for instructions specific to that day and location, DNR official said.