Current Burn Ban: ON (July 1 - August 31)
Jefferson County Resolution #42-05
Additional curtailment periods:
If the DNR declares a MODERATE or HIGH fire danger index: NO BURNING.
Burning is subject to immediate closure at any time for fire danger or air stagnation conditions as established by the Washington State Dept. of Ecology and/or Olympic Regional Clean Air Authority (ORCAA) per RCW 70-94 and WAC 173-425.
ORCAA 800-422-5623
, www.orcaa.org
Open burning periods are subject to the following:
No burning in wind over 5 MPH or on foggy days
Burn pile must be at least 50 feet setback from any structure
Only (1) 4X4X3 foot or smaller debris disposal fire is allowed at any time. Larger piles require ORCAA permit.
Burn pile must be at least 500 feet from any forest slash areas.
Burning is allowed from 8AM to 4PM. Do not add any fuel to the fire after 3PM.
A responsible person shall remain in attendance with the fire at all times.
Burn only in accordance with local homeowners association disposal burning regulations
A shovel, charged garden hose, and nozzle shall be on site
Fires should be worked to keep the fire burning hot to reduce smoke output
Fires creating excessive smoke and/or flying ash or a nuisance are subject to extinguishment
Only natural vegetations may be burned. No processed wood of any type
Property owner/contractor assumes responsibility for damage to any structure, utilility line/pole, tree/shrub, fence, road/right-of-way, or other public/private edifice by smoke, flying ash, or flame and accepts responsibility for any claimed adverse effects to the health of any person or persons in the path of said smoke/flyin ash or flame.
Violations will be investigated and penalties may be assessed for willful violation of these rules.
Additionally, the Fire District may recover the costs incurred during response, control, and extinguishment of an unlawful or out-of-control open burn.
Requirements for recreational fires are defined in both international Fire Code and in WAC 173-425-050 (Washington Administrative Code.) The elements of these two laws essentially boil down to the following:
Definition
Recreational fires are outdoor burning of charcoal or firewood (not debris or rubbish) where the fuel is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit. Recreational fires are for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. Fires used for debris or rubbish disposal are not considered recreational fires and are illegal. A true barbecue pit is constructed to building code specifications. A fire in a hole dug in the ground does not consitiute a barbecue pit under State law and would still be defined as a recreational fire.
Requirements:
Attendance- Both WAC 173-425-050 and the International Fire Code mandate that recreational fires be constantly attended by a person capable of extinguishing the fire (alert, sober, awak) until the fire is extinguished. Extinguished is defined as all parts of the fire being out and cold. If unattended burning is reported to the fire district, we will extinguish it and file a fire report. Other regulatory agencies may follow up unattended burning reports with hefty fines.
Size:
The International Fire Code indicate that total fuel area for the fire may not exceed 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet in height.
Tools:
The International Fire Code requires that the attendant must have approved fire extinguishing equipment on hand for immediate use. Such equipment includes large portable fire extinguisher (minimum 4A rating), shovels with sand or dirt, garden hose, water truck, or water barrel with buckets.
Location:
WAC 173-425-050 requires that recreational fires must be at least fifty feet away from structures. The state's building code defines fences as structures, so imperiling your neighbors fence would violate state law. International Fire Code indicates that conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition so make sure you have a good fuel break around the fire.
Permission:
WAC 173-425-050 requires that permission from the landowner, or the owners designated representative, must be obtained before starting a recreational fire.
The have an outdoor burn, you must follow certain guidelines which include limiting the size of the fire to 4' X 4' and having a water source with a hose adjacent to the fire. You may burn only natural materials, no gargabe or manmade items.
Burn Barrel Information
Burn Barrels are unhealthy and illegal. You could be fined if you choose to burn in a burn barrel. Burning common household trash in a burn barrel, incinerator, or open fire produces a black, foul-smelling smoke that irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. Burning trash in open fires or houshold incinerators creates low temperature fires which release toxic substances from plastics, inks, foils, and other packaging materials into the air. You c an be fined up to $10,000 per day for each violation. You can also be held responsible for the cost of putting out the fire. This can cost thousands of dollars.
