Fire Marshal

Fire Marshal

www.skagitcounty.net/firemarshal

 

September 26, 2023
Skagit County Lifts Outdoor Burn Ban for all Unincorporated Areas Beginning September 27, 2023
Until further notice, residential yard, and land-clearing fires are again permitted in areas within unincorporated Skagit County.

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Due to the continuing elevated fire risk conditions and low fuel moisture levels within Skagit County, the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office joins the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources in banning outdoor burning, including campfires.

Effective August 17, 2023, and until further notice, outdoor burning is banned in unincorporated Skagit County except for permitted agricultural burning.

Enclosed barbeque and propane fire pits are allowed in improved areas, such as residential backyards, and on non-combustible surfaces which are a minimum of ten feet from vegetation or combustible materials. The use of a charcoal barbeque is allowed only on private property. Fire pits or similar enclosures with a metal grate are NOT considered barbeques. Charcoal and ash should be discarded in a metal container and doused with water. The container should be kept ten feet from vegetation or combustible materials for 72 hours.

If you are within the city limits of any incorporated cities or towns, check with your city fire department for current burn restrictions.

This ban does not pertain to agricultural burning permitted through the Northwest Clean Air Agency or silvicultural burning permitted through the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. For information on active permits, contact those agencies directly.

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• Information on alternatives to outdoor burning
• Information on proper use of woodstoves
• Report an illegal burn or excessive smoke, or call 360-428-1617
  .
  More information
• Local air quality information: Northwest Clean Air Agency.
  
• Statewide air quality monitoring: Washington Department of Ecology
  
  

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A division of the Planning and Development Services Department, the Fire Marshal's Office provides the following services:

• Review of permit applications for consistency with the International Fire Code (e.g., structure construction, driveway fire access (standards), fire flow, sprinkler systems, alarms, egress, and venting)
  
• Annual inspections of commercial construction (checklist) for consistency with the International Fire Code
  
• Outdoor burning and fireworks permitting and regulation
  
• Outreach and education programs about fire safety

Outdoor and Recreational Burning & Burn Bans	Maintain and Update Fire Safety Property Information	Fireworks Permits and Regulations	Fire Investigation Records

Application Forms

• Special Events Fire Permit

Codes
The Fire Marshal’s Office administers the following codes:

• International Fire Code (as adopted by WAC 51-54A-003 and SCC 15.04.020 and amended by 15.04.030(2))
  
• International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (adopted by WAC 51-54A-007 and SCC 15.04.020 and amended by 15.04.030(2)(i))

 

Contact

• Emergencies Dial: 911
• Outdoor burning information and permits: 360-416-1840
• Business annual inspection request line: 360-416-1845
• Deputy Fire Marshal Bonnie LaCount: 360-416-1842
• Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Bonsen: 360-416-1843
• E-mail: firemarshal@co.skagit.wa.us
• Business Hours 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  

Links of Interest

• Map of current permitted burns
  
• Report Hazardous Consumer Products: US Consumer Product Safety