OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire is extending the fire emergency for all counties east of the Cascade Crest, which means the Washington National Guard will continue to help fighting wildfires and the burn ban stays in effect until at least next Monday at midnight.

Gregoire announced the extension while touring the town of Liberty and visiting with evacuees from fires in Kittitas County. The First Creek Fire was burning about four miles outside of town.

The burn ban means no outdoor burning in those East Side counties. That includes camp fires, bonfires, residential trash or brush cleanup fires, as well as no fireworks of any kind.

Gas stoves are permitted, as are charcoal grills at homes provided the stoves or barbecues are set up on nonflammabe surfaces and kept at least five feet away from flammable materials like dried vegetation.

Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark said with no rain in sight, the state is "in for a long haul."

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