Outdoor Recreational Fires and Open Burning are restricted due to the hot, dry conditions and fire dangers.

Effective today, June 4, 2021, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in cooperation with partner agencies, is adding new burn restrictions on DNR-protected lands in eastern Washington. The new restrictions are a response to increasing fire danger and an increase in fires caused by people burning debris outdoors.

Air quality and fire protection agencies issue temporary burn restrictions for different purposes. One of the factors is that according to the Department of Ecology it has been the driest March-April since 1926, which is why on May 27th they issued a drought advisory. 

Fire danger rating will remain unchanged at a moderate level. 

Restrictions in Place Are:

• DNR-issued Permit Burn are not allowed.
• Campfires are NOT allowed except in approved designated campgrounds. Campgrounds burn bans for Washington State can be found here: Parks.state.wa.us/alertcenter.aspx
• Rule burning (small debris disposal fires) is still NOT allowed.

What is Allowed during current burn ban:

• Manufactured portable outdoor devices – fireplaces, chimineas, barbeques and patio warmers used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Approved fuels in appropriate devices – clean and dry seasoned firewood, charcoal, natural gas or propane gas.

Contact the county for information on recreational burning and debris burning on improved property. Contact the Department of Ecology to check if an air-quality burn ban is in place for your area. Residents can find their Fire Danger Rating Area online at: Fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/

Sources:

• Department of Natural Resources Fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/ Accessed June 4 2021
• Department of Ecology  Ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/News/2021/May-27-2021-Drought-Advisory  Accessed June 4 2021
• Ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Air-quality/Smoke-fire/Burn-bans

Photo By Chuttersnap