The Fire Chiefs of East Jefferson County, have called for a county-wide ban on outdoor burning other than recreational fires. This includes residential yard waste burning, and land clearing burn.. The burn ban is in the best interest, and safety of the public, firefighters, and first responders.
The county-wide burn ban began July 1 and continues through September 30, 2022, or until further notice. The ban was recommended by the Jefferson County Board of Fire Chiefs, the Jefferson County Fire Marshal, and the Board of County Commissioners and established under Jefferson County Resolution No. 30-05. The burn ban does not apply to recreational fires at this time.
The establishment of the “Fire Risk Guideline” promotes a color-coded guide to current fire risk level information. This guide establishes what type of burning, if any, is allowed based on the current atmospheric and field conditions.
If the Department of Natural Recourses (DNR) issues guidance banning recreational fires on all forest lands a High fire risk Yellow Level 3 will be declared. Restrictions associated with a High fire risk Yellow Level 3 include Recreational fires (beach fires, bonfires, or the use of portable outdoor fireplaces,) briquettes, or charcoal associated with BBQs, tiki torches, and/or any liquid-fueled appliance used for light or to detract bugs. It is unlawful for any person to sell, transfer, discharge, ignite or explode any fireworks, display fireworks, special effects, or firearms within unincorporated Jefferson County when High fire risk is declared. These burning activities may also be banned in the event air stagnation conditions exists, as determined by the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Olympic Region Clean Air Authority, and/or the Department of Natural Resources.
Requirements for recreational fires are defined by the International Fire Code (2018 IFC – Section 307) and the Washington State Administrative code (173-425-050). A recreational fire is defined as outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill, or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purpose. Fires used for debris or rubbish disposal are not considered recreational fires and are illegal. For more information about fire danger in Jefferson County, please contact East Jefferson Fire Rescue -at 360.385.2626, or go to East Jefferson Fire Rescue’s website at www.ejfr.org. Additional information may be available from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources or your local Fire Department. Please be safe and remember to completely extinguish all fires, cold to the touch.
