WA Burn Bans

The seasonal bans were lifted Sept. 30 in Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason and Pacific Counties . But just because you can burn yard waste doesn’t mean you should.

Burning at any time adds to the air pollution levels in your local neighborhood, and residents are encouraged to seek alternatives to burning throughout the year. Furthermore, outdoor burning is prohibited year-round for residents within all cities and Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundaries.

Residents must remember the only material they may legally burn is natural vegetation gathered on site. State law prohibits the burning of garbage and home-repair debris. Burn barrels of any kind are also prohibited by state law.

Unregulated outdoor burning of any kind can contribute to poor air quality, but burning garbage and other debris—even scraps of milled wood products—is particularly problematic. Most household garbage contains a great deal of plastics, chemicals, coatings and chemically treated materials. When burned, this garbage and waste material releases toxic fumes and particles into the air.   This pollution can cause disease ranging from eye and respiratory irritation to potential cancers.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) encourages all residents to explore options such as chipping of woody debris, and composting of leaves and grass clippings rather than burning. “

The Clallam County Fire Marshall has upgraded their county-wide Burn Ban to include a prohibition on recreational fires anywhere in the county except within the Olympic National Park and other controlled campgrounds.

This change is effective immediately (Aug. 15). The decision was made due to the upgrade to “Moderate,” based on the Department of Natural Resources findings, and in conjunction with the Clallam County Fire Chief’s Association.

While a Burn Ban is in effect, any illegal burning will result with the property owner being liable for all fire suppressant costs, fines and fees, including prosecution.

Maintaining a 30-foot defensible space around structures will help aid fire fighters, by creating a green zone of protection around your personal property.

For more information concerning Defensible Space, look under Burning Restrictions, on the County’s website www.clallam.net

Effective July 1, 2011, outdoor debris disposal burning is prohibited in Clallam County. The restrictive ban will extend until October 1, 2011, unless fire authorities deem it necessary to further extend the ban based on conditions.

Recreational fires limited to a diameter of 3 feet and height of 2 feet are permitted, unless further banned by conditions.

The Olympic National Park and other regulated campgrounds are excluded from the restriction

In effect July 1 – September 30, 2011

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced there will be a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands July 1, 2011, through September 30, 2011. This means all forestlands in Washington under DNR fire protection; the burn ban does not apply to federal lands.
The threat of wildfires from escaped outdoor burning is high during the summer months due to dry forest vegetation. Each year, DNR strives to keep all wildfires under 10 acres. Last year, DNR had 71 wildfire starts simply from escaped outdoor burn piles, which burned approximately 153 acres.

“Wildfires are dangerous for people and property and result in large expenditures of public funding that can be avoided through prevention,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. The ban will apply to all outdoor burning on DNR-protected forestlands, including currently permitted burns, with the following exceptions:

1. Recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal or other campgrounds, and
2. DNR-approved prescribed fires, implemented to enhance or restore fire-dependent ecosystems and forest health, when enhancement and restoration by prescribed fire can only be accomplished successfully during the period of time from July 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011, and
3. As approved in writing by DNR when there are compelling reasons for an exception.
The use of gas and propane self-contained stoves and barbeques will continue to be allowed under the ban.
When implemented, the burn ban will take precedence over and supersede all other burn bans currently in effect on DNR-protected forestlands. The burn ban does not apply to federal lands.

DNR’s wildfire mission
Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 12.7 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned forestlands. DNR is the state’s largest on-call fire department, with over 1,000 employees trained and available to be dispatched to fires as needed. During fire season, this includes over 700 DNR employees who have other permanent jobs with the agency and about 375 seasonal workers. Additionally, Department of Correction inmates participate in the DNR correctional camps program. DNR also participates in Washington’s coordinated interagency approach to firefighting.
Media Contact: Janet Pearce, Communications and Outreach, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov

source: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/News/Pages/2011_05_06_burnban_nr.aspx

Effective midnight, September 30, 2010, the Clallam County burn ban is lifted. Contact your local Fire Districts for burning regulations and permit requirements. Read the official press release below. If you cannot view the press release below, you can download the document here.