Gas prices are rising. The reason for the rise is a fire at a refinery in California which shut down some gas production last Monday. The average price of gas in Washington State, according to GasBuddy.com, is $3.85 a gallon. The AAA Auto Club has the State average at $3.87 a gallon. That’s up 17 cents in a week, 27 cents higher than a month ago and 7 cents more than last year at this time. The State’s average is 18 cents higher than the National average. Gas prices in the Shelton area start at $3.75 for a gallon of regular unleaded, while those in Belfair will see gas as low as $3.69 a gallon. Other area gas prices: Bellingham $4.01, Bremerton $3.87, Seattle-Bellevue-Everett $3.90, Tacoma $3.90, Olympia $3.89, Vancouver $3.85, Yakima $3.79, Tri-Cities $3.78, Spokane $3.68.