Welcome to Skagit County

May 21, 2026
 

Burn Ban begins June 15, 2026, in Unincorporated Skagit County.

Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, a modified burn ban on all residential and land-clearing fires in unincorporated Skagit County will take effect at 12:01 A.M. on June 15, 2026, and remain in effect until further notice. Skagit County will no longer issue permits for these activities, and existing permits will be suspended on the effective date of the burn ban.

Recreational and cooking fires, limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, remain allowed when safety precautions are followed, except as noted below. Recreational or cooking fires may consist only of charcoal, seasoned firewood, or propane-fueled fire pits and must meet the following requirements. 

• Fires are allowed only within enclosures AT LEAST 14 inches high, no wider than 3 feet, and constructed of cement blocks, stones, or #10-gauge steel.
• Burning materials must be kept BELOW the enclosure's top.
• ALWAYS have a charged garden hose or two 5-gallon buckets of water available.
• Portable outdoor fire pits shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or of combustible materials.
• Recreational fires MUST BE 25 feet away from combustibles, standing timber, or overhanging tree branches.
• Someone 16 years old or older must ALWAYS be present to monitor and/or extinguish any fire.
• Always verify if there are any extra burning restrictions before starting an outdoor fire.

All outdoor burning, including recreational and cooking fires, shall be prohibited in the event of any of the following:

• “Red Flag Warning” issued by the National Weather Service ( Fire Weather ).
• The Northwest Clean Air Agency issues a 'Stage 1 or Stage 2 Air Quality Burn Ban” due to wildfire smoke and air quality concerns that threaten public health (Northwest Clean Air Agency ).

If you are within the limits of any incorporated city or town, contact your city fire department for current burning restrictions.

The Northwest Clean Air Agency issues permits for agricultural burning, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources issues permits for silvicultural burning. For information on active permits, contact these agencies directly. If you have questions about open burning in Skagit County, please contact the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-416-1840.