WA Burn Bans

Dec. 10, 2009 – A Stage Two Burn Ban is being called for Thurston County, effective 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 and continuing indefinitely. No burning is allowed in fireplaces or wood stoves (certified and uncertified), and all outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. The ban will be lifted only after a change in weather arrives to improve the air quality.

While pollution levels in Thurston County warrant the Stage Two Ban, other counties within the jurisdiction of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) haven’t reached that level. To avoid bans in their areas, the residents of Mason, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam and Jefferson Counties are asked to voluntarily refrain from all outdoor burning, and to use safe alternatives to wood heat if possible.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from outdoor burning as well as from the use of wood stoves and fireplaces. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults over age 65.

During a Stage 2 burn ban, the following restrictions are in place:

*     No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.

*     If your fireplace, pellet stove, or wood stove is your only adequate source of heat and therefore must be used, you must operate it cleanly. No visible smoke is allowed.

*     No outdoor fires of any kind are allowed. This includes recreational fires as well as the use of backyard fire kettles, chimineas or firepits.

*     Burn ban violations are subject to a monetary penalty.

During a Stage 2 ban, residents may use natural gas and propane appliances.

Olympic Region Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted. In the meantime, here are some other things people can do to help protect the air we breathe:

• Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round. Try to link trips – that is, do all your tasks during one outing rather than make multiple trips away from home.
• Reduce engine  idling. Rather than pre-starting your vehicle to warm it up, wear a warm jacket and gloves during your drive until the interior warms up. Idling hurts engines and creates high levels of air pollution with no benefit (idling = 0 mpg).
• Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org.

For more information about Burn Ban regulations, you may refer to Chapter 173-433 of the Washington Administrative Code. For additional information, contact ORCAA, (360) 539-7610

All land clearing burning is prohibited while the fire danger level is at a moderate. Residential burning is allowed until the Fire Safety Burn Ban goes into effect. Recreational campfires are allowed if built in approved fire pits (no burn barrels) in designated campgrounds.

WAC 173-425 bans the use of a burn barrel and prohibits the burning of all material, except natural vegetation grown on the property and firewood (defined as bare, untreated wood, not dimensional lumber). This regulation also prohibits burning during periods of impaired air quality and prohibits outdoor burning from becoming a nuisance to surrounding neighbors and businesses. Fire safety burn-bans may also be called by county or local fire protection authorities.

Burn Barrel Use Prohibited
The use of a burn barrel was banned in the State of Washington effective April 13, 2000. Burning garbage has been illegal in the State of Washington since 1967.

Recreational fires
Recreational fires under 4′x4′x3′ are still allowed in all of Wahkiakum County without a permit. Only charcoal or seasoned firewood (not lumber) may be used as fuel for a recreational fire. Recreational fires must be used solely for recreational purposes and may not be used for disposal of yard debris or any other material. Recreational fires may not cause a smoke or odor nuisance to surrounding properties. Recreational fires in excess of 4′x4′x3′ need a large fire permit. Contact Chuck Beyer for a permit at (360) 795-3067 or toll free at (360) 465-2654. There is no fee for the large fire permit.

Residential Burning
Piles under 4′x4′x3′ need a small fire permit. These permits can usually be picked up at a local fire department or town hall. If your area does not provide these permits you can call Chuck Beyer at (360) 795-3067 or toll free at (360) 465-2654 to request a copy of the permit. There is currently no fee for the permit.

Land Clearing Burning
For piles larger than 4′x4′x3′ and land clearing operations you need to call Chuck Beyer at (360) 795-3067 or toll free at (360) 465-2654 to request a large fire permit. There is currently no permit fee.

Silvicultural Burning
For all silvicultural/forest practice burning call the Pacific Cascades Region of the Department of Natural Resources at (360) 577-2025. There is a permit fee.

Areas Where Burning is Not Allowed

WAC 173-425-040(3)(4)(5) prohibits outdoor burning in cities with a population of greater than 10,000, adjacent areas with a population density of one thousand or more persons per square mile, and areas with a reasonable alternative to burning.

Currently there are no areas in Wahkiakum County that meet any of these criteria.

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Skamania County’s Fire Safety Burn Ban is in effect July 1 through September 30. These dates may be expanded depending on fire danger. While the Fire Safety Burn Ban is in effect beginning July 1, only small recreational campfires will be allowed.

WAC 173-425 bans the use of a burn barrel and prohibits the burning of all material, except natural vegetation grown on the property and firewood (defined as bare, untreated wood, not dimensional lumber). This regulation also prohibits burning during periods of impaired air quality and prohibits outdoor burning from becoming a nuisance to surrounding neighbors and businesses. Fire safety burn-bans may also be called by county or local fire protection authorities.

Burn Barrel Use Prohibited
The use of a burn barrel was banned in the State of Washington effective April 13, 2000. Burning garbage has been illegal in the State of Washington since 1967.

Recreational Fires
Recreational fires under 4′x4′x3′ are still allowed in all of Skamania County without a permit. Only charcoal or seasoned firewood (not lumber) may be used as fuel for a recreational fire. Recreational fires must be used solely for recreational purposes and may not be used for disposal of yard debris or any other material. Recreational fires may not cause a smoke or odor nuisance to surrounding properties. For recreational fires in excess of 4′x4′x3′ a small fire permit is required. These permits can be picked up at your local fire station or town hall and are free. If your area does not provide these permits contact the Skamania Public Works Department at 509-427-3910.

Debris Burning
All debris burning (natural vegetation only) under 10′x10′x5′ requires a small fire permit. Piles of natural vegetation larger than 4′x4′x3′ but smaller than 10′x10′x5′ are only allowed October 16 through June 30. Piles of natural vegetation under 4′x4′x3′ are allowed year round except during a fire danger burn ban.

These permits are currently available at your local fire station or town hall and are generally free. If your area does not provide these permits contact the Skamania Public Works Department at 509-427-3910.

Land Clearing Burning
For piles larger than 10′x10′x5′ and land clearing operations, call the Southwest Clean Air Agency at 1-800-633-0709 for a land clearing burning permit application. The burn permit application can be downloaded in Word format or PDF, printed out and then mailed, faxed or hand-delivered to SWCAA. A site visit is no longer required so a permit can be issued same day with a visit to SWCAA’s office in Vancouver. The permit fee of $100 must be paid to SWCAA prior to issuance of the permit.

Land Clearing Burn Permit Application (Word format)
Land Clearing Burn Permit Application (PDF)
Silvicultural Burning
For all silvicultural/forest practice burning call the Pacific Cascades Region of the Department of Natural Resources at 360-577-2025. There is a permit fee.

Areas Where Burning is Not Allowed

WAC 173-425 prohibits outdoor burning in cities with a population of greater than 10,000 and their urban growth areas. Prohibitions also apply to adjacent areas with a population density of one thousand or more persons per square mile and areas with a reasonable alternative to burning.

Currently there are no areas in Skamania County that meet any of these criteria.

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Lewis County’s Fire Safety Burn Ban is set to begin July 7 at which time all outdoor burning is prohibited except for small recreational campfires. Call 360-740-1133 for a recorded message on burn restrictions. All small, recreational fires are allowed within UL-approved burning receptacles (not burn barrels) or approved campfire sites. No residential or land clearing burning is allowed within the permanent No Burn Areas.

WAC 173-425 bans the use of a burn barrel and prohibits the burning of all material, except natural vegetation grown on the property and fire wood (defined as bare, untreated wood, not dimensional lumber). This regulation also prohibits burning during periods of impaired air quality and prohibits outdoor burning from becoming a nuisance to surrounding neighbors and businesses. Fire safety burn-bans may also be called by county or local fire protection authorities.

Source

Effective 1 July 2009 at 8A.M., until further notice, the following conditions apply: (1) NO OUTDOOR BURNING OF NATURAL DEBRIS – EVEN WITH A PERMIT and (2) RECREATIONAL / COOKING FIRES ALLOWED ONLY IN APPROVED FIRE PITS lined with concrete or metal, such as in established campgrounds. Outdoor cooking is also allowed on a propane barbecue, or a barbecue with briquettes, or a self-contained camp stove.

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