The King County Fire Marshal on Friday announced a fire safety burn ban is in effect for all unincorporated areas of the county, meaning only small outdoor fires are allowed until the ban is lifted.

While the ban is in place, fires are not to exceed a maximum size of 3 feet by 3 feet and must be in established fire pits at approved campgrounds or on private property with the owner’s permission. Fires must also:

1. Be built in a metal or concrete fire pit.

2. Be located in a clear spot free of any vegetation for at least 10 feet, including at least 25 feet away from any structure and allow 20 feet of vertical clearance from overhanging branches;

3. Be attended at all times by an alert individual and equipment capable of extinguishing the fire.

Fires may not be used for disposal of debris.

Even islanders with permits from Vashon Island Fire & Rescue are not allowed to burn outside of the listed parameters.

The county’s ban comes at a time when several other agencies have issued bans in the hopes of preventing any kind of fire in the hot and dry conditions.

The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a statewide burn ban on DNR-protected lands throughout the entire state in late July, effective through Sept. 30.

Shortly after DNR’s announcement, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced a statewide ban on campfires in all coastal state parks and ocean beaches through Sept. 30.

A Thursday Washington State Parks and Recreation statement indicated that the ban is “part of a statewide effort to prevent human-caused wildfires.”

All of Washington state parks are under a Level 4 – Extreme fire ban or higher, meaning fires are restricted to gas and propane self-contained camping stoves.

The National Weather Service last week issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the Puget Sound area and warned of red flag fire conditions.

Temperatures reached into the upper- 80s and mid-90s last week. Slightly cooler temperatures — high-70s to mid-80s — are expected this week.