While rain has fallen across most of ORCAA’s six-county jurisdiction, the 2023 rainfall lags far behind the annual average across our region – in most areas 10 to 20 INCHES behind schedule to match the annual average.
As such, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plans to hold the fire risk at Moderate throughout the region and continue to prohibit silvicultural and other permit- and rule-based fires on any state-protected lands. In support of that precaution, ORCAA will hold off on issuing any land clearing permits until the DNR burn ban is lifted.
Currently, Mason and Grays Harbor County fire officials also honor the DNR bans and continue to restrict residential yard waste burning in their counties. Recreational fires are allowed there, however.
In Clallam, Jefferson, Pacific, and Thurston Counties, the fire marshals have lifted the seasonal fire safety burn bans on both recreational fires and residential yard waste burning. Residents should contact their local fire district to make sure they have any required permits and are abiding by any local fire restrictions. In Thurston County, residents MUST apply for a self-issue Burn Permit available for this website. The online form is found here: Residential Yard-Waste Burn Permits – ORCAA
