Outdoor Burning

 

May 14, 2025
Burn Ban Takes Effect June 15th in Unincorporated Skagit County
Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, a modified burn ban for all residential and land-clearing fires in unincorporated Skagit County will go into effect

Before lighting any fire, please know your jurisdictional burn rules. Campfires are banned statewide in all portions of Department of Natural Resources protected lands and North Cascade National Parks.

On improved properties or lots within unincorporated Skagit County recreational/cooking fires are still allowed with all safety precautions followed.

During these high fire risk times, it is highly recommended that you only use propane fire pits and refrain from any fires that emit sparks.  

Campfire and Fire Pit Safety Tips

Why are we setting a date for a burn ban rather than waiting for hot and dry weather?

In partnership with the Skagit County Chief’s Association, the Skagit County Fire Marshal's Office has decided to proactively have a “set date” to allow the public to know when to expect burn restrictions every year. In the past, we have not been able to provide much notice by waiting until the weather models, vegetation flammability, and fire potential have reached elevated risk levels. The Skagit County Fire Marshal reviews the seasonal forecasts for drought, precipitation, relative humidity, and heat each year to assess our yearly fire risk. Skagit County is in a drought again this year and weather outlooks are predicting our region to be very dry and hot this summer. With these risks in mind, our fire chiefs and fire marshal believe it best to continue using a set date for the county burn ban.

Last spring we had a fire in Skagit County which grew to 50+ acres and we nearly lost several homes, which led the fire chiefs to ask for set date burn bans. We had around 17 fire apparatus responding to this fire from the surrounding fire districts, two Department of Natural Resources (DNR) helicopters, and multiple DNR crews. We also send several of our wildland crews to the eastern part of the state each year. With limited resources to fight wildfires, it is imperative we work with the community to do our best to reduce fire risk. This keeps our families and properties safe, and ensures firefighters have less dangerous events to respond to.

The “set date” decision is to allow everyone notification and is a proactive measure to mitigate potential fire risks to your community and forest lands. The date that was decided is within a week or two of when our area is normally in burn-restrictive times in past years.

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

Skagit Aggregates (Big Rock)
14107 State Route 9
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-826-3077

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

Skagit Aggregates (Big Rock)
14107 State Route 9
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-826-3077