NWCAA: Serving Island, Skagit and Whatcom Counties
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Outdoor Burning

 

Regulations

  • What can be burned? – It is only legal to burn natural vegetation or firewood in any fire. It is illegal to burn anything else – even paper (except for the amount of paper necessary to start a fire).
  • Burn Barrels – The use of burn barrels is prohibited statewide.
  • Nuisance - Smoke, odor or ash that unreasonably impacts neighboring properties is illegal.
  • Construction and demolition debris – It is illegal to burn any material resulting from a construction, renovation or demolition project.
  • Off site debris – It is illegal to burn any material that is not generated on site.
  • Commercial businesses – no burning is allowed at permanently located commercial establishments except for land-clearing operations where land-clearing burning is allowed. (NWCAA Section 502.8)
  • Hours allowed – Burning is allowed during daylight hours only unless otherwise permitted by the Fire Warden. (Recreational fires are excluded from this restriction.)
    Weather conditions - Burn only during light winds that do not exceed 7–10 MPH. Do not burn during stagnant weather conditions.
  • Burn bans – No burning is allowed during a burn ban.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

General WA Burning Rules: