Outdoor FiresState law prohibits outdoor fires in urbanized areas (incorporated cities, suburbs and adjacent areas). The cities of Burien and Normandy Park are located within this mandated no-burn zone. State law allows only Native American ceremonial fires and very small recreational fires inside no-burn areas:
Native American Ceremonial Fires State law defines these as fires "necessary for Native American ceremonies (i.e., conducted by and for Native Americans) if part of a religious ritual." If you wish to have Native American ceremonial fire outside of tribal lands, you must have a permit from the local fire district. These permits will not be granted during air-quality burn bans and fire-safety burn bans. Recreational Fires These are defined in state law as cooking fires, campfires and bonfires that occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure or ceremonial purposes. These fires must be no larger than three feet in diameter and two feet high. You can use only charcoal, dried firewood or manufactured firelogs. Any other fuel is prohibited. Recreational fires are always prohibited during air-quality burn bans. Check with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to see what the current Burn Ban status is. Fires lit in chimneys, fire pits, fire bowls and similar free-standing devices, commonly sold at home-improvement stores and mass retailers, are also considered “recreational” and should also only use charcoal, dried firewood or manufactured firelogs (some brands make outdoor-specific firelogs). Other general requirements for a recreational fire, as stated in WAC 173-425-050(6) and IFC, section 307, state that:
Beachside recreational fires may be allowed if they follow the above requirements and are no less than 50’ west of the dune line. Exception. During a burn ban. It's always illegal to smoke out your neighbor. If smoke from your fire bothers your neighbors, damages their property or otherwise causes a nuisance, you must immediately put it out. If enforcement is required, you could be fined up to $13,000 per day. It's always illegal to use a BURN BARREL. It's always illegal to burn prohibited materials. These materials include:
Registering Complaints To register a complaint about wood smoke from fireplaces and wood stoves, and for all other air quality complaints, visit https://www.pscleanair.gov/262/File-a-Complaint If you have any questions, call 1-800-552-3565 (Washington only). The above regulations are only a summary. For more information on these regulations, to find out ways to dispose of yard waste, and for a list of useful links for homeowners and businesses, please visit the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency web site on Facts About Outdoor Burning, or visit the links below. |
Useful Links
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