Backyard Forest Stewardship in Western Washington
Safe Debris Burning
Careless or unnecessary debris or garbage burning is the cause of many wildfires, nuisance smoke problems, and diminished air quality. Smoke can be hazardous to persons with asthma or heart and lung problems. Outdoor debris burning is subject to state and local fire safety and air quality regulations and may be restricted depending upon your location.
Photo by: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Burning in Residential Areas
Check local regulations regarding permit requirements and "burn ban" restrictions. Since 2007, outdoor burning is banned within urban growth areas throughout Washington. For more information, check with the Washington Department of Ecology. Outside the urban growth areas, burning is usually regulated by local clean air agencies and regulations vary by location.
King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties: Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum Counties: Southwest Clean Air Agency
Island, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties: Northwest Clean Air Agency
Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific and Thurston Counties: Olympic Region Clean Air Agency
San Juan County: Department of Ecology
Consider no-burn options before deciding to burn. Many landfills offer designated days when yard debris can be disposed of at little or no cost. WSU Extension offers a "how to" publication about composting, or contact your local Extension office for advice. On-site chipping may be feasible. Limbs and other debris may be piled for wildlife habitat if located where they do not pose a fire hazard.
Burning on Undeveloped Land
You must call 1-800-323-BURN to obtain updated burning information on the day of the burn, before you ignite, and follow the directives given for your area on that day.
Burning in the undeveloped forested portion of your property is regulated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Contact your local fire department or Fire Marshal for burning regulations in residential areas. In forested areas protected by DNR, debris burning is permitted without a written permit if all of the following conditions are met:
Burn one pile at a time of forest debris that is less than 4 feet in diameter (July 1 - October 15) or less than 10 feet in diameter (October 16 - June 30). (Exception: Piles may not exceed 4 feet in diameter at any time of the year in Island, King, Pierce, Kitsap, and San Juan counties; piles may be up to ten feet in diameter at any time of year in Clallam and Jefferson counties).
Burn only natural vegetation or untreated wood products. (Accelerants in the piles such as tar paper, etc. are not permitted.)
Burn piles are at least 50 feet from structures and 500 feet from any forest slash.
Clear the area around the burn pile of any flammable material.
The winds are calm or light. It is too windy to burn if trees are swaying, flags are extended, or waves appear on open water.
Maintain a connected water hose or at least five gallons of water and a shovel nearby.
Attend the fire until it is completely extinguished.
Be prepared to extinguish the fire if it becomes a nuisance.
If any of these conditions cannot be met, a written DNR burning permit is required. To obtain a written burning permit, contact the DNR region office in your area.
Learn more:
Let’s Clear The Air About Outdoor Burning
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