White Center Now: The blog about White Center

That’s a screengrab from the Seattle City Light map showing a power outage that started when that huge blast of wind roared through around 4:30 pm. The outage stretches from east West Seattle down into part of White Center and to South Park. May take a while for it to get fixed, as 26,000+ residences and businesses are without power throughout City Light’s service area – including a big outage south of here, in Burien.

Though the weather isn’t anywhere close to summery today, it will be warm and dry again, and looking ahead to that, King County’s fire marshal has ordered a Stage 1 burn ban for unincorporated areas. Here’s the announcement:

With the dry season fast approaching, King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban has issued a Stage 1 Burn Ban for the unincorporated areas, which prohibits yard debris fires along with fires set to clear land. It takes effect Saturday, June 29.

The ban, issued in conjunction with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and King County Fire Marshals Association, does not apply to recreational fires and gas/propane appliances, including grills, pellet smokers and charcoal grills.

Expected periods of higher temperatures will increase the amount of dry fuel load, or vegetation, in our communities. This in turn increases the risk of an uncontrolled fire when burning yard debris or a fire set to clear land.

Urban says residents who smoke should use extreme caution with their ashes or when they’re extinguishing cigarettes. King County asks residents to be diligent and respectful of their neighbors, and to remember that the summer months are a demanding time for first responders.

“We are coming into the busy summer season,” he says. “While it’s a time to celebrate and have fun with family and friends, it’s also a time when the risk of fire increases. Our first responders are always working hard to respond to any and all emergencies, but the community can do its part by obeying the Stage 1 Burn Ban to help prevent uncontrolled fires.”

From Highline Public Schools:

Due to weather and road conditions, all schools are on a two-hour delay. Buses will stop at regular stops–two hours later than normal.

Thanks to Gill Loring for sending the snowy scene from outside his house. That’s probably about all we’ll see, according to the newest forecast – those mega-cold temperatures are still expected, but serious snow is not. Daytime highs in the 20s and nighttime lows in the teens, so be careful, stay warm, keep pets inside, and by the end of the holiday weekend, temperatures will be rising again.

This area was already under a Stage 1 burn ban – now it’s been raised to Stage 2. This announcement explains what that means:

King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for unincorporated King County (areas outside city limits), which were already under a Stage 1 burn ban.

The ban goes into effect immediately and is extended into cities through coordination with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Marshals.

The forecast for the next few days calls for temperatures in the 90s for much of King County, where the fuel load in vegetation has been significantly increased by the dry summer and high temperatures. The winds that have created red flag warnings and an increase in recent brush fires warrant additional safety measures for our community—especially given that Washington has already stretched its wildfire fighting resources throughout the region.

During a Stage 2 burn ban, all outdoor fires, such as those in backyard fire pits or campfires that use chopped firewood or charcoal, are prohibited. Under the ban, any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such burning when ordered or notified to do so can be charged with a misdemeanor.

The use of manufactured portable outdoor devices is allowed, including barbeques and patio warmers that are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Approved fuel devices—including those that rely on charcoal, natural gas, or propane gas—are also allowed. Please use caution when disposing of charcoal remains. People who smoke should exercise extreme caution with their ashes and when they’re extinguishing cigarettes.

The county asks residents to be diligent and respectful of their neighbors, and to remember that this is a demanding time for first responders.

“During this time of the year—when there’s high temperatures and dry conditions—residents need to exercise extreme caution to not start a fire,” Ricketts said. “Something as simple starting an outdoor recreational fire or flicking a cigarette on the ground could result in something bigger and much more dangerous.”

A bit of snow on the ground in some areas, so Highline Public Schools are starting two hours late.

Thanks to the reader who texted photos from downtown White Center this morning – you can see why some businesses stayed closed (or closed early), like Full Tilt Ice Cream …

and Proletariat Pizza …

Crawfish House is open tonight until 9:

After being suspended all day because of the ice, Metro buses are back tonight, at least the routes on the Emergency Snow Network list are. The temperature is rising slowly and the ice is finally melting, so tomorrow – despite the forecast for rain – should be a better time to get out and do whatever you need to do before Christmas closures!

The King County Roads cameras tell the story – the snow has returned. Above is a cam from 17th/98th; below, 16th/100th:

Avoid hills – that’s where people are getting stuck. As for the forecast, a Winter Weather Advisory alert remains in effect until 2 pm, so the National Weather Service expects things will improve after that.

With more snow expected overnight – and/or icy streets – Highline Public Schools has decided to start late Thursday. Here’s the full announcement:

Due to weather and road conditions, all schools are on a two-hour delay on Thursday, December 1, 2022, including Virtual Elementary and Virtual Academy. Buses will stop at regular stops–two hours later than normal.

There will be no breakfast, no morning or afternoon classes for preschool and ECEAP, and no morning classes for PSSC. Afternoon classes for PSSC will be on time. All before school programs are canceled, including clubs, activities and in-school daycare. No transportation will be provided to schools outside of our district.

Schools will dismiss at regular times.

Continue to monitor our website for updates. Please stay safe and warm.

STAFF INSTRUCTIONS
Staff are expected to report to work as close to on time as possible. Please use your judgement on whether it is safe for you to travel to work. See an outline of expectations for employees for inclement weather on the Staff Hub.

Thanks to Gill Loring for that first photo of this morning’s snow in White Center. So far no major problems or closures reported, but more snow is expected later, and a Wind Advisory complicates things this evening. Stay safe!

Just announced:

King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for unincorporated King County, prohibiting all outdoor recreational fires. Outdoor cooking and heating appliances are restricted to approved manufactured gas and charcoal units only.

The Stage 2 burn ban goes into effect immediately for unincorporated King County, which was already in a Stage 1 burn ban. King County’s ban is in coordination with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Marshals, which extends the ban into cities.

The updated ban takes effect as the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the region. This means critical fire weather conditions are present and any fires that develop will likely spread quickly.

During a Stage 2 burn ban, burning residential debris is prohibited, as is any other outdoor fire such as a backyard fire pit or campfire (using firewood or charcoal). Under the ban, any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or discontinue it when ordered or notified to do so can be charged with a misdemeanor.

Manufactured portable outdoor devices are allowed, including barbeques and patio warmers that are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Ricketts asks residents to please use caution when using any open flame.

Extended periods of unusually high temperatures have increased the fuel load, or vegetation, in our communities. The large fire in Oregon and other fires in Washington have stretched wildfire fighting resources throughout the region.

Ricketts says if residents must smoke, they should exercise extreme caution with their ashes or when they’re extinguishing cigarettes. King County asks residents to be diligent and respectful of their neighbors, and to remember that this is a demanding time for first responders.

“The summer months may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean high temperatures and dry conditions are,” Ricketts said. “Residents of the unincorporated areas—and all of the Puget Sound region, for that matter—should be careful with anything that could cause a fire.”