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Fire danger remains high for most of Washington

The fire danger is very high or high for most of Washington, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.
The fire danger in Washington as of June 29, 2015. Red means very high or extreme. Yellow means high.

The fire danger is very high or high for most of Washington, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

A red flag warning remains in place for much of Eastern Washington, where a combination of strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity make conditions ideal for wildfires.

Dry thunderstorms are possible in Chelan County, where the Sleepy Hollow Fire is burning, as well as Kittitas County.

The warning comes as firefighters battle a blaze in Wenatchee, Washington, that has destroyed at least 24 homes and forced hundreds to evacuate.

The Douglas County Fire Marshall has issued a ban on the use of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county, except those used in approved professional shows. Anyone who violates the ban faces a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail.

The Whatcom County Fire Marshall announced Monday that all open burning was banned effect at noon, in addition to the existing statewide burn ban for all state lands. The city of Anacortes has also banned any open fires, including those in fire pits.

Late last week, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for all of Washington and strongly urged people not to use fireworks in their Fourth of July celebrations.

A red flag warning had been in place for a number of Western Washington counties over the weekend, including King, Pierce, Skagit and Whatcom Counties.

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