Outdoor Burning

 

October 25, 2022
Skagit County lifts outdoor burn ban for all unincorporated areas beginning October 26, 2022
Residential yard and land-clearing fires are again permitted in areas within unincorporated Skagit County.

July 12, 2022

Burn Ban takes effect July 16, 2022, for all of Skagit County

Residential and Land Clearing Fires Banned
Due to forecasted weather conditions, a modified burn ban for all residential and land clearing fires in unincorporated Skagit County will go into effect this Saturday at 8 AM, July 16, 2022, and continue until further notice. Skagit County will no longer issue permits for these activities and existing permits are suspended.

Recreational fires
Recreational and cooking fires, limited to three feet in diameter and two feet high remain allowed in unincorporated Skagit County within enclosures and when safety precautions are followed.
Recreational or cooking fires can consist only of charcoal, seasoned firewood, or propane-fueled firepits and must meet the following requirements:

• Enclosures must be AT LEAST 14 inches high, no wider than three feet, and made of cement
  blocks, stones, or #10-gauge steel.
  
• Burned material must be kept BELOW the top of the enclosure.
  
• ALWAYS have a charged garden hose OR two 5-gallon buckets of water OR a 5-gallon Class A
  fire extinguisher and shovel present.
  
• Fires MUST BE 15 feet away from combustibles, standing timber, or overhanging tree
  
• Someone 16 years old or older must ALWAYS be present to monitor and/or extinguish the
  fire.

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

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

More information about open burning in Skagit County is available at skagitcounty.net/firemarshal or by calling the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 416-1840.

Campfire and Fire Pit Safety Tips

Avoid Unnecessary Burning

So before starting an outdoor burn of any type, please consider the potential impacts on
your neighbors and on local emergency responders, and postpone or cancel your burn if
possible.

Also, avoid causing excessive smoke from wood-burning stoves used for home heating. The
Northwest Clean Air Agency has received a number of complaints about heavy woodstove
smoke.

• 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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Illegal Burning
Only natural vegetation (leaves, grass and tree trimmings) may be burned. It is never legal to burn any of thefollowing:

• garbage
• household trash
  
• lumber
  
• building construction waste
  
• demolition debris

Permitted Burning
When a burn ban is not in effect, in unincorporated Skagit County (outside of urban growth areas), you may burn a pile four feet by four feet (or smaller) of natural vegetation without a permit. A burn permit from the Skagit County FireMarshal is required if you plan to burn a larger pile. Applicants can leave a message for the Deputy Fire Marshal at (360) 416-1840. The Fire Marshal will visit the site and issue a burn permit to eligible locations in the order they are received. A nominal fee consistent with the fee schedule is required.

Recycle Instead of Burning
Drop off your recyclables at any of the three Skagit County transfer stations, or visit www.skagitcounty.net/recycle for more information about other ways to recycle your waste.

Compost Your Yard Waste
An eco-friendly alternative to burning your yard waste is to drop it off for composting at these locations:

North Hill Resources
651 North Hill Boulevard
Burlington, WA 98233
360-757-1866

Skagit Soils Inc,
13260 Ball Road
Mount Vernon
360-424-0199

Sunland Bark & Topsoils
12469 Reservation Road
Anacortes
360-293-7188

Recycle Your Construction Debris
Many types of construction waste (wood, concrete, drywall, asphalt, roofing, metals), can be recycled at these locations. Check each facility for the types of debris it accepts.

Lautenbach Industries / T&T Industries/Lauts Inc
13084 Ball Road
Mount Vernon
360-757-4000

North Hill Resources
651 North Hill Boulevard
Burlington, WA 98233
360-757-1866