Citizens still may use backyard barbecues, portable outdoor fireplaces or other patio/deck warmers, as long as approved fuel is used.  Approved fuel includes seasoned (clean and dry) firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas.

Here are other requirements for outdoor fires:

• Fires must be in designated areas or on private property with approval from the owner.
• Fires must be attended by a responsible adult (knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment) at all times.
• Approved fire extinguishing equipment must be on hand and ready for use.
      Equipment can include a garden hose, dirt, sand, bucket, shovel, or a minimum 4A rated portable fire extinguisher.
• Adequate clearance from combustibles must exist.
      For one and two-family dwellings, follow the device manufacturer’s instructions for clearance.  Be safe and use good judgment.
      For multi-family dwellings, use at least a 15-foot clearance from combustibles and structures.  Be safe and use good judgment.
• Fires must not present a health hazard or nuisance to others.
• Safe wind conditions (no more than 7 mph) must be present. 
• A Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency “green light” indication for air quality must be present.  
• Ash and charcoal remnants must be safely disposed of in noncombustible waste containers.

Unsafe or otherwise restricted fires will be required to be extinguished.  Failure to comply with the burning restrictions could have serious consequences.  A person who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue unauthorized burning when ordered to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor.  That person can face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

Click here for additional information.

Citizens still may use backyard barbecues, chimineas, portable outdoor fireplaces or other patio/deck warmers, as long as approved fuel is used.  Approved fuel includes seasoned (clean and dry) firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas.

Here are other requirements for outdoor fires:

• Fires must be in designated areas or on private property with approval from the owner.
•  Fires must be attended by a responsible adult (knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment) at all times.
• Approved fire extinguishing equipment must be on hand and ready for use. 
         Equipment can include a garden hose, dirt, sand, bucket, shovel, or a minimum 4A rated portable fire extinguisher.
• Adequate clearance from combustibles must exist.  
          For one and two-family dwellings, follow the device manufacturer’s instructions for clearance.  Be safe and use good judgment.
          For multi-family dwellings, use at least a 15-foot clearance from combustibles and structures.  Be safe and use good judgment.
• Fires must not present a health hazard or nuisance to others.
• Safe wind conditions (no more than 7 mph) must be present.
• A Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency “green light” indication for air quality must be present.  
• Ash and charcoal remnants must be safely disposed of in noncombustible waste containers.

Unsafe or otherwise restricted fires will be required to be extinguished. 

As always, bonfires or pig roast type fires must receive an inspection, pre-approval, and a permit from the Spokane Fire Department.  Outdoor burning for disposal purposes is illegal in the City of Spokane at all times.

Failure to comply with the burning restrictions could have serious consequences.  A person who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue unauthorized burning when ordered to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor.  That person can face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

Click here for additional information.

Unauthorized open burning and unauthorized recreational fires are hereby ordered discontinued in the unincorporated areas of Spokane County until further notice, effective the data of the Order – July 15, 2010 – unless this Order is otherwise lifted, in whole or in part, or unless otherwise permitted by law or authorized agencies.

This Order is not intended to preclude the use of manufactured portable outdoor fireplaces, barbecues, outdoor fireplaces, patio warmers, used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.  Only approved fuels may be used: seasoned (clean and dry) firewood, briquettes, natural or propane gas.  Click here for additional information.  Designated campfires in parks and campgrounds may allowed as approved and determined by agencies with jurisdiction.  Disposal of vegetative waste in a recreational fire is prohibited at all times.

This Order shall be complied with by owner, operator, occupant or other persons responsible for the condition of violation to which the Notice and Order pertains (IFC 109).  Any person(s) conducting open burning who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such burning when ordered or notified to do so shall be guilty of a misdemeanor (IFC 109; SCC 3.02)

A violation of the Order is a misdemeanor and shall be punishable upon conviction by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment (SCC 3.02)

Signed and executed this 14 day of July 2010.

Randy J. Vissia
Director of Building and Code Enforement
Department of Building and Planning

In Effect July 15 – September 30, 2010

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced there will be a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands July 15, 2010, through September 30, 2010. This means all forestlands in Washington except for federal lands.

“The threat of wildfires from escaped outdoor burning is high during the summer months due to unusual fire danger,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “Wildfires are dangerous for people and property and result in large expenditures of public funding that can be avoided through prudent actions to prevent them.”

The ban applies to all outdoor burning, including currently permitted burns, with the following exceptions:

1. Recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal or other campgrounds, or
2. DNR-approved prescribed fire, 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 15th, 2010, through September 30th, 2010, or
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.

This burn ban takes precedence over and supersedes all other burn bans currently in effect on forestlands except federal lands.

Media Contact: Janet Pearce, Communications and Outreach, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov

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