The last big travel weekend of summer is approaching: Labor Day weekend, and county and state agencies advise travelers to take basic precautions before hitting the roads.
The Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) has some recreational safety tips to try, while the Washington State Department of Transportation has some ways to avoid the clogged roads.
For the holiday weekend, AAA booking data for flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises show the holiday travel is up compared with last year, according to Mellani McAleenan, senior manager for AAA Washington Public Affairs. Domestic travel bookings are up 4%, and international bookings are up 44%, according to AAA booking data.
Safety tips
CCFR CARES Outreach Coordinator Sam Lewis said the ban on burning will remain in effect through the holiday weekend. For swimmers, the waters of area rivers remain cold, and people should take care. Not only is a cold river a concern, but all swimmers, even adults, need to wear life jackets before going out on the water.
“When it comes to swimming, we kind of reiterate the same thing, not just wear a life vest but wear a life vest that fits and is a Coast Guard-approved life vest,” Lewis said. “Just make sure it’s a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, you know, really appropriate for the child’s weight, as well as the water activity. We would say for adults also to wear one, especially if they’re doing any kind of kayaking or … maybe they’re not so great of a strong swimmer.”
With a burn ban in place, people can still barbecue, but grilling still requires some safety practices because of the dry summer conditions. Lewis said to make sure grills are away from homes or buildings and are located on a flat surface. Sparks from grills can cause a fire easier than one could anticipate, and Lewis said to never leave a grill unattended while it is being used. While barbecuing, Lewis encouraged people to have a spray bottle filled with water, a hose or even a fire extinguisher on hand.
Travel tips
WSDOT states on weekend holidays, travelers can expect more than usual traffic on state highways across Washington, especially on Interstate 90, where lengthy delays are expected. Longer than typical wait times at ferry docks also are expected during a holiday that falls on a weekend.
Locally, Interstate 5 will see higher travel impacts going both directions. Most construction will be paused over the three-day weekend, including projects on I-5 and I-205 in Clark County, to help reduce congestion.
WSDOT has many resources available to travelers before they venture out.
According to WSDOT, Amtrak Cascades is a good way to avoid road traffic along the I-5 corridor from Eugene, Oregon, to Vancouver, British Columbia. Passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets early and arrive at the station one hour before departure. The trains along that route stop at 18 stations along the way. Visit AmtrakCascades.com/ or call 800-USA-RAIL for tickets and schedules.
