Brush Fire Near Royal Hills Burns Four Acres

Fire investigators determined that Sunday’s four-acre brush fire near the 3000 block of Royal Hills was likely caused by a group of youth. 

The investigation is still ongoing; however, witness’ reported seeing kids in the greenbelt area shortly before the fire.

Renton Fire and Emergency Services responded to the blaze late Sunday afternoon with three engines, one ladder truck, one brush truck, Rehab 1, two Chiefs and a fire investigator.

The dry season and weather conditions are extremely dangerous for outdoor burning of any kind, Deputy Chief Erik Wallgren wrote in an email to Patch.

Governor Gregoire has again  for all of Eastern Washington. Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the ban. (A special thank you to Renton Fire and Emergency Services for this Q & A):

1) What is the Governor's legal authority for declaring a burn ban?

RCW 43.06.220(1)(i) "State of emergency - powers of governor pursuant to proclamation:
(1) The governor after proclaiming a state of emergency and prior to terminating such, may, in the area described by the proclamation issue an order prohibiting:
     (i) Such other activities as he or she reasonably believes should be prohibited to help preserve and maintain life, health, property or the public peace."

2) What areas are covered by the proclamation and ban?
"...all counties East of the crest of the Cascade Mountains of Washington State..."

3) Is the burn ban mandatory?
Yes.

4) Who can enforce it?
Any "Washington peace officer", as defined by RCW 10.93.020(3). However, it is suggested that all law enforcement officers contact their department's legal advisor or local prosecutor's office prior to taking action.

5) What is the penalty for violating the burn ban?
It is a gross misdemeanor under 43.06.220(4) and carries the potential penalty described in RCW 9A.20.021(2):
"(2) Gross misdemeanor. Every person convicted of a gross misdemeanor defined in Title 9A<http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A> RCW shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a maximum term fixed by the court of up to three hundred sixty-four days, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than five thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine."

6) Does it cover campfires?
Yes - this is the wording from page 2 of the proclamation.
"Outdoor burning includes but is not limited to campfires, bonfires, residential yard debris clean-up, trash disposal, land clearing, weed abatement, agricultural burning activity and ignition of fireworks."

**If you have photos of the fire, please upload them to Renton Patch!**