Safety & Emergencies

MONTESANO- Effective 12:01 AM, Friday, October 2, 2026. With the Recent weather trend, the Grays Harbor County Fire Marshal's office and local Fire Districts are lifting all restrictions on outdoor burning in Grays Harbor County. The public is reminded of the importance of completely extinguishing all fires that will not be attended by dousing with water or moist soil and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. Please contact ORCAA at 1-800-422-5623 or visit their website www.orcaa.org to obtain the required permits for large yard waste piles and land clearing activities. 

Effective June 23, 2026, Grays Harbor County has enacted a temporary burn restriction due to warm, dry conditions. Residential yard waste and land-clearing burns are prohibited until further notice. Recreational campfires and charcoal cooking remain allowed in approved fire pits, barbecues, and designated campgrounds. Campfires on private property must meet fire safety requirements, be attended at all times, and be fully extinguished when finished.

The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office is requesting public's assistance in the kidnapping and homicide investigation of Lindsey Jo Baum, who has been missing since June 26, 2009, in McCleary, Washington. Partial remains were later identified in Kittitas County in 2017. Hunters and outdoor recreationists are asked to report any possible findings without disturbing potential evidence sites. A reward of up to $40,000 is available for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.