Burn ban modified

George Bailey, Clallam County fire marshal, announced last week that a county-wide burn ban has been modified to permit small recreational campfires in established fire rings, and the use of charcoal grills on private property and in campgrounds.

This modification only applies to unincorporated Clallam County as the Washington State Department of Natural Resources still prohibits their use on their land until September 30, 2024. The National Forest and National Parks regulate their land independently from our jurisdiction so check with them for their requirements.

Campfires are limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. No bonfires or any other open burning of any kind is allowed until primary Burn Ban is lifted.

This decision was made based on current rainfall/humidity conditions that have slightly eased the fire danger in Western Washington.

In addition, the Washington state Department of Natural Resources reduced the fire risk level for the central lowlands from very high to high. That is the threshold I follow for allowance of recreation campfires and use of charcoal grills. The burn restrictions will remain in effect until Oct. 1.

Recount set for Public Lands race

On Aug. 20, the Clallam County Canvassing Board certified the 2024 Primary; however, the Office of the Secretary of State called for an official statewide manual recount for the office of Commissioner of Public Lands.

Candidate Dave Upthegrove is leading Sue Kuehl Pederson by 51 votes — well within recount range. (A statewide race triggers a hand recount when the difference between the two candidates is both less than 1,000 votes and less than ¼ of 1% (.0025), county election officials said.

At an Aug. 23 Canvassing Board meeting, authorization was given to conduct a mandatory manual recount for the office of Commissioner of Public Lands. The board formally set the date and time of the recount, and authorized election staff to open the sealed ballot containers. The mandatory recount is being conducted 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Aug. 26-30, and a meeting to certify the results of the recount has been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3.

All meetings and recount activities will be held in the Elections Center, in Room 072 on the lower level of the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

Candidates and official observers of the two major parties are being notified of the recount and invited to observe the recount.

Genealogy group slates meeting

Starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, learn how to be the family detective with help from the County Genealogical Society at their meeting in the CCGS Research Center, 403 E. Eighth St., Port Angeles.

The beginners class, also known as the “I Know Nothing About Genealogy” class, is free.

For more information or to register, call the Society at 360-417-5000 between 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, or noon-4 p.m. on Saturday. Or, visit clallamcogs.org.

VHOCC sets orientations

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County (VHOCC) is hosting in-person volunteer orientations for those interested in learning more about or volunteering with the organization.

The first session is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, at a location in Sequim to be revealed at the time of registration. A second orientation will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at VHOCC offices, 829 E. Eighth St., Port Angeles.

Registration for both sessions is required by calling 360-452-1511 or emailing to reception@vhocc.org.

Volunteers serve in a variety of roles such as front desk receptionist, in the organization’s lending closet or delivering medical equipment to patients’ homes. They can also serve at the bedside of hospice patients or offer grief support and spiritual care or handle various tasks in the office or at fundraising events.

VHOCC is a nonprofit serving Clallam County from Joyce to Diamond Point, and all its services are free. It provides end-of-life nursing care, loans medical equipment and supplies and offers education programs, grief support groups, one-on-one bereavement services and practical workshops on life after loss.

To learn more about the nonprofit, call the organization at 360-452-1511, or visit volunteerhospice.org.