Burn Ban Information

Burn Ban 2020 Canceled

September 30, 2020

The Washington State Department of Natural Recourses here on the Olympic Peninsula advised the fire danger as low. In an effort to align with our neighbors and as agreed upon by the Jefferson County Fire Chief’s Association, the established 2020 countywide burn ban per county code 43-05 will be canceled, beginning October 1, 2020.

Land clearing burning will be allowed by permit only. Requirements for recreational fires remain the same, which are defined by the international fire code (2015 IFC - Section 307) and the Washington State Administrative code (173-425-050). Outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fire place, portable outdoor fire place, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purpose. Fires used for debris or rubbish disposal are not considered recreational fires and are illegal.

All county-wide burning is subject to immediate closure at any time, in the event air stagnation conditions or poor environmental conditions exists as determined by the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Olympic Region Clean Air Authority, the Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Jefferson County Fire Chiefs and the Jefferson County Fire Marshal.

For more information about fire danger or air quality within Jefferson County, please contact Brinnon Fire Department at 360-796-4450, check with your local Fire Department or the Jefferson County Health Department.

Please remember to completely extinguish all fires, cold to the touch.

Chief

Residential Open Burning Instructions

Conditions for residential outdoor burning

1. No Burning during county wide burn bans. UFC 1102.3.1

2. No Burning in winds over 5 MPH and on foggy days. UFC 1102.3.1 & WAC 173-425

3. The burn pile must be at least 50 feet from any structure or improved property. UFC 112.4.2

4. The burn pile must be at least 500 feet from any forest slash. UFC 1102.3.1

5. Only natural vegetation may be burned. UFC 1102.3.3 & WAC 173-425-050 Section (1)

6. Only ONE 4’ X 4’ X 3’ or smaller pile is allowed at any one time. UFC 1102.3.1

7. Burning is allowed between the hours of 8am and 4pm. Do not add any fuel after 3pm. UFC 1102.3.1

8. A shovel and a connected garden hose or a 5 gallon pail of water must be on site. UFC 1102.3.1

9. A responsible person shall remain in attendance with the fire at all times. UFC 1102.4.4

10. Fires should be worked to keep the fire burning hot to reduce smoke output. UFC 1102.3.1

1 1. Fires that create excessive smoke and/or flying ash or a nuisance will be extinguished. UFC 1102.3.1

12. Burning is subject to closure at any time for fire or air stagnation conditions. UFC 1102.3.4

13. These rules DO NOToverride local homeowner association burning regulations. UFC 1102.3.1

Penalties may be assessed for violations of these rules. In addition, the fire district may recover costs incurred during the response, control, or extinguishment of an unlawful or out of control fire. Property owner/contractor assumes responsibility for damage to any structure, utility line/pole, tree/shrub, fence, road/right of way or other public edifice by smoke, flying ash, or flame and accepts responsibility for any claimed adverse effects to health of any person or persons in the path of said smoke/flying ash or flame.

Residential Burning

Residential burning means the outdoor burning of leaves, clippings, prunings and other yard and garden refuse originated on lands immediately adjacent to and in close proximity to a human dwelling and burned on such lands by the property owner or designee.

It is the policy of the Brinnon Fire Department to, whenever possible, minimize air contaminant emissions, prevent injury to human health, plant or animal life or property, and prevent unreasonable interference with enjoyment of life and property.

Fires shall be allowed, subject to the best available burning practices, which include but are not limited to the following:

ONLY NATURAL VEGETATION MAY BE BURNED

Prohibited Outdoor Fires

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or allow any outdoor fire

1. that contains any of the following fuels:

a) Household garbage or trash

b) Dead animals

c) asphalt or asphalt products, to include roofing shingles.

d) petroleum products

e) paints, plastics, or rubber products.

f) Treated and manufactured wood products, such as plywood and chip board.

g) Construction and demolition debris.

h) Metal

i) wire products coated with plastic, rubber or cloth.

j) Any substance that emits a noxious odor or a dense smoke when burned.

2. During any stage of an air pollution episode, foggy day, or impaired air quality.

3. For the purpose of demolition, salvage, or reclamation of materials.

4. During extreme fire danger due to dry weather and forest conditions.

5. During periods of high wind from any direction.

6. Materials that have been hauled from another site.

7. In burn barrels. Burn barrels are illegal.

8. If outdoor burning causes emissions that are detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of any person, causes damage to property or business, or causes a general public nuisance as determined by the Fire Chief or their designee.

Recreational Fires

A recreational fire means cooking fires, campfires, and bonfires that are no more than 3 feet in diameter using charcoal and/or clean dry firewood for fuel. The fire must be located in an approved lined pit and supervised the entire time that heat is present. Recreational fire activity requires the same basic fire safety considerations and consequences as with any other type of fire.