DNR restricts burning in Clallam, Jefferson, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific, and Thurston Counties  

DNR joins Mason, Pacific, and Grays Harbor County Fire Marshals in implementing Fire Safety Burn Bans

Due to the intense heat forecast for the next several days and weeks, as well the extremely dry conditions through the region, some county fire marshals have joined the DNR in restricting many forms out of outdoor burning starting this week.

Mason, Pacific County, and Grays Harbor County Fire Marshals took action to promote fire safety by restricting yard waste and land clearing burning activities, while still allowing small recreational fires under existing rules.

These burn bans follow the guidance set by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which implemented new burn restrictions across Western Washington, including in all six counties within ORCAA’s jurisdiction.

Because these are fire safety rather than air quality burn bans, ORCAA is following the guidance of DNR and the local fire marshals. Currently, DNR recommends all debris burning (yard-waste burning and land-clearing burning) be restricted in all counties. ORCAA is supporting that by shutting down its land clearing burn permit program for the season. Furthermore, Mason, Pacific and Grays Harbor County Fire Marshals have enacted additional restrictions, banning residential yard waste burning as well.  Residents should contact their local fire departments or county fire marshals for additional guidance on residential yard waste burning. At this time, no restrictions on recreational fires have been added in any county.

The specific details outlined by the two county fire marshals and the DNR wildfire staff are included below.


Mason County:

The Mason County Community Development Director, as acting Fire Marshal, and in partnership with the Mason County Fire Chiefs’Association, has determined that current
weather conditions within Mason County have created substantial fire dangers and that there is a need to enact restriction on outdoor burning to all lands regulated by Mason County.

This burn restriction applies to Outdoor Burning, including land clearing, yard debris, and permit burns; and does NOT include the prohibition of attended recreational fires, charcoal briquette barbeques. The use of gas and propane barbeques will continue to be allowed under the restriction.

For more information, please contact the Mason County Burn Ban Information Line, (36o) 427-7799

Pacific County:

Pacific County launches a 2021 Fire Safety Burn Ban effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 25. The ban will last until further notice.

The Pacific County Fire Marshal notes that the county DNR, along with Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties in implementing this burn ban.

The burn ban applies to outdoor debris burning.  

Recreational campfires are allowed if built in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as those typically found in local, county, and state parks and in commercial campgrounds. On private land, recreational fires are permitted when built according to the following regulations:

  • Recreational fires must be in metal, stone, or masonry-lined fire pits such as those in improved campgrounds or available at home and garden stores.
  • Size may not exceed 3-feet in diameter by 2 feet in height.
  • Fires must be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustible material and have at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead fuels such as tree limbs, patio covers or carports.
  • Fires must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old who has the ability and tools to extinguish the fire. Tools include a shovel and either five gallons of water or a connected and charged water hose.
  • Portable outdoor fireplaces, also known as patio fireplaces, designed to burn solid wood should not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material.
  • Completely extinguish recreational fires by covering them with water or moist soil and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch.
  • Self-contained camp stoves are a safe and easy alternative to campfires.

Please contact your local fire district for more information.

Grays Harbor County

With the recent trend of warm and dry weather the Grays Harbor County Fire Marshal’s office and local Fire Districts, enacted a Burn Ban starting at 12:01 p.m. June 23. The ban restricts outdoor burning in Grays Harbor County including residential yard waste and land clearing burning. The Fire Safety Burn Ban will remain in effect until further notice. All residential yard waste and land clearing burning is prohibited until further notice.

The use of charcoal briquettes and recreational campfires are allowed if built in improved barbeques, fire pits, or in designated campgrounds, such as those typically found in the county, state parks, or commercial campgrounds. On private land, campfires are permitted with the landowner’s permission if built in the following approved manner:

  • The campfire shall be no greater than 3-feet in diameter and constructed of a ring of metal, stone, or brick 8-inches above the ground surface, with a 2-foot- wide area cleared down to exposed soil surrounding the outside of the pit.
  • The campfire shall have an area at least 10-feet around it cleared of all flammable material and at least 20-feet of clearance from overhead flammable materials or fuels.
  • The campfire must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16-years old with the ability to extinguish the fire with a shovel and a 5-gallon bucket of water or with a connected and charged water hose.
  • Completely extinguish campfires by pouring water or moist soil in them and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. The use of self-contained camp stoves is encouraged as an alternative.

For current information about fires on local beaches contact Washington State Parks,  (360) 902-8844.

On ocean beaches, recreational fires must be at least one hundred feet from the dunes, no more than four feet in diameter, and no more than four feet high.

No fires are allowed on any shellfish bed.

Park rangers may impose additional restrictions on fires for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the public, park visitors, or staff, or for the protection of park resources.

DNR

Grays Harbor,

Effective June 23, 2021 – All debris burning on DNR jurisdiction is prohibited. This includes rule burning and permit burning. Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds only. Check with local jurisdictions for additional restrictions and use of residential fire pits.

If you have questions or would like to obtain a DNR burning permit for silvicultural burning, West of Cloquallunm Road North of the Chehalis River, please call Olympic Region DNR at 360-374-2800 For the remainder of Grays Harbor County contact the Pacific Cascade Region Office at 360-577-2025 Fireworks and incendiary devices such as exploding targets, sky lanterns or tracer ammunition are always illegal on all DNR protected lands, which includes unimproved private property.

Clallam & Jefferson Counties

Effective June 23, 2021 –  All debris burning on DNR jurisdiction is prohibited. This includes rule burning and permit burning. Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds only. Check with local jurisdictions for additional restrictions and use of residential fire pits

If you have questions or would like to obtain a DNR burning permit for silvicultural burning, please call Olympic Region DNR at 360-374-2800 Fireworks and incendiary devices such as exploding targets, sky lanterns or tracer ammunition are always illegal on all DNR protected lands, which includes unimproved private property.

Mason County

Effective June 23, 2021 – Mason County is going to moderate fire danger. Industrial burning is prohibited. Recreational fires are allowed only when attended.

Starting Friday, June 25, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. a Rule Burn Ban takes effect. Contact the county for information on recreation burning and debris burning on improved property.

Thurston County

Effective June 23, 2021 – Thurston County is going to moderate fire danger. Industrial burning is prohibited. Recreational fires are allowed only when attended.

Starting Friday, June 25, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. a Rule Burn Ban takes effect. Contact the county for information on recreation burning and debris burning on improved property.

Pacific County

Effective June 23, 2021 – Permit burns are not allowed. Rule burns, not to exceed 10 feet in diameter, are allowed for forest debris from property that is not improved. Campfires are allowed, however, campfires are not allowed on state land except in DNR campgrounds. Contact the county for information on recreation burning and debris burning on improved property. Contact the Department of Ecology to check if an air-quality burn ban is in place for your area.

County Fire Marshal web sites

News

Media Contact

Dan Nelson

Communications/Outreach Manager

360-539-7610