Outdoor Burning
Smoke generated from outdoor burning poses a serious threat to residents throughout the counties served by Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA): Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston. More than 25 percent of the complaints received by ORCAA in 2008 were the result of outdoor burning issues. Outdoor burning accounts for approximately 10 percent of the state's air pollution.
ORCAA may call burn bans when weather and atmospheric conditions warrant the action to help protect air quality. ORCAA also honors and supports any and all fire-safety burn bans called by the state Department of Natural Resources and local fire agencies. To find current burn status in your location, Click Here.
The Dangers of Smoke
Smoke from outdoor burning includes fine particulate matter that is especially harmful to babies and children whose developing lungs are small and vulnerable. Smoke also harms the elderly and those who suffer from heart disease, asthma, emphysema, or other respiratory diseases.
Outdoor burning also contributes to ozone pollution (smog). The smoky haze can block scenic views for our residents and visitors. The American Lung Association has additional information about the health hazards of burning.
Alternatives to Outdoor Burning
Reasonable alternatives to outdoor do exist. You can find many of the options for your area by clicking the links below:
Type of Outdoor Burning
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Agricultural Burning is the outdoor burning regulated under chapter 173-430 WAC, including, but not limited to, any incidental agricultural burning for pest or disease control.
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Ceremonial Fires are fires for Native American ceremonies, provided that proof of tribal affiliation is certified and that ORCAA has issued a burn permit.
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Firefighter Training Fires are for firefighter training purposes. For all such fires, the applicants are required to obtain permits from ORCAA. Additional permits are required for structure fires.
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Land Clearing Burning is the outdoor burning of trees, stumps, shrubbery, or other natural vegetation from land clearing projects. A permit is required. Additional information available
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Recreational Fires are cooking fires, bon fires, or campfires using charcoal or firewood that occur in designated area or on private property. Pile size is limited by county and or city. Recreational fires are not allowed within Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater city limits without a permit.
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Residential Burning is the outdoor burning of leaves, clippings, prunings and other yard and gardening refuse originating on lands immediately adjacent and in close proximity to a human dwelling and burned on such lands by the property owner or his or her designee. Only one pile may be burned at a time. Pile size is limited by county and or city.
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Silvicultural Fires are fires for abating a forest fire hazard, to prevent a hazard, for instruction of public officials in methods of forest fire fighting, any silvicultural operation to improve forest lands, and burning used to improve or maintain fire dependent ecosystems for rare plants or animals within state, federal, and private natural area preserves, natural resource conservation areas, parks, and other wildlife areas. Permits are issued by the Department of Natural Resources.