All Skagit County Burn Ban Begins June 9

Skagit_County_Logo

PRESS RELEASE
June 2, 2023

Contact
Bonnie LaCount
bonniel@co.skagit.wa.us
360-416-1842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Burn Ban Takes Effect June 9, 2023, for All of Skagit County

Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, a modified burn ban for all residential and land clearing fires in unincorporated Skagit County will go into effect at 8:00 am on June 9, 2023, and continue until further notice. Skagit County will no longer issue permits for these activities and existing permits are suspended.

Recreational and cooking fires, limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, remain allowed when safety precautions are followed and except as noted below. Recreational or cooking fires can consist only of charcoal, seasoned firewood, or propane-fueled firepits and must meet the following requirements:

  • Fires are only allowed within enclosures AT LEAST 14 inches high, no wider than 3 feet, and made of cement blocks, stones, or #10-gauge steel.
  • Burning materials must be kept BELOW the top of the enclosure.
  • ALWAYS have either a charged garden hose or two 5-gallon buckets of water available.
  • Fires MUST BE 25 feet from combustibles, standing timber, or overhanging tree branches.
  • Someone 16 years old or older must ALWAYS be present to monitor and/or extinguish the fire.
  • Check to see if any additional burning restrictions may apply before lighting any outdoor fire.

All outdoor burning, including recreational and cooking fires, shall be prohibited in the event of the following:

  • “Red Flag Warning” as issued by the National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov/fire/).
  • “Stage 1 or Stage 2 Air Quality Burn Ban” due to wildfire smoke and air quality conditions threatening public health as issued by the Northwest Clean Air Agency (https://nwcleanairwa.gov/).

If you are within the limits of any incorporated city or town, check with your city fire department for current burning restrictions.

The Northwest Clean Air Agency issues permits for agricultural burning and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources issues permits for silvicultural burning. For information on active permits, contact those agencies directly.

Questions about open burning in Skagit County? Please contact the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 416-1840 or visit https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/FireMarshal.

###