Types of Burn Bans

• Burn ban due to impaired air qualityis called when air pollutants are measured at unhealthful levels. Our agency or the Washington State Department of Ecology is responsible for calling this type of ban. The stage of burn ban depends on the level of air pollution:
  • Stage I Burn Ban: No outdoor burning or burning in any uncertified wood stove or fireplace.*
  • Stage II Burn Ban: No outdoor burning or burning in any wood stove, fireplace or pellet stove.*
  • *Exemptions: Households with no other source of adequate heat can request an exemption from NWCAA to burn during a burn ban. 
• Burn ban due to dry weather conditions is a temporary ban on outdoor burning called by a fire official during periods of high fire danger. Call 360.428.1617 (Skagit) or 800.622.4627 (Island & Whatcom) ext. 4 for current status.
• Permanent burn bans permanently prohibit land-clearing and residential burning of yard clippings and other vegetative debris in specific cities and their urban growth areas.

Permanent Burn Ban Areas 

Washington State law is phasing-out outdoor burning to protect public health.  Residential yard debris and land-clearing burning is banned in all urban growth areas (UGA’s) and the following cities/towns as of January 1, 2007.

Click on the area to see a map of the urban growth areas.

Click on the county name to see a list of alternatives to burning.

Contact your local planning department (below) if you have questions about urban growth boundaries:

Island County Planning Department - 360.679.7339
Skagit County Planning Department - 360.336.9410, 0, #

Whatcom County Planning Department -360.676.6907