Note: All land clearing burning is prohibited while the fire danger level is at a moderate. Residential burning is allowed until the Fire Safety Burn Ban goes into effect on July 15. Recreational campfires are allowed if built in approved fire pits (no burn barrels) in designated campgrounds.

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WAC 173-425 bans the use of a burn barrel and prohibits the burning of all material, except natural vegetation grown on the property and firewood (defined as bare, untreated wood, not dimensional lumber). This regulation also prohibits burning during periods of impaired air quality and prohibits outdoor burning from becoming a nuisance to surrounding neighbors and businesses. Fire safety burn-bans may also be called by county or local fire protection authorities.

Quick Links:

• Map of the Southern Clark County No Burn Area (PDF - 1.2 Mb)
• Map of the 2008 Battle Ground No Burn Area (PDF - 3 Mb)
• Map of the Yacolt No Burn Area (PDF)
• Map of the 2008 Ridgefield No Burn Area (PDF - 2 Mb)
• Map of the 2008 La Center No Burn Area (PDF- 2 Mb)
• Clark County Residential Burn Permit (PDF) - only valid outside No Burn Areas

Burn Barrel Use Prohibited
The use of a burn barrel was banned in the State of Washington effective April 13, 2000. Burning garbage has been illegal in the State of Washington since 1967.

Recreational Fires
Recreational fires under 3'x3'x2' are still allowed in all of Clark County without a permit. Only charcoal or seasoned firewood (not lumber) may be used as fuel for a recreational fire. Recreational fires must be used solely for recreational purposes and may not be used for disposal of yard debris or any other material. Recreational fires may not cause a smoke or odor nuisance to surrounding properties. Recreational fires in excess of 3'x3'x2' need a special written permit from SWCAA.

Residential Burning (Outside the no-burn boundaries)
Residential burning is allowed in piles smaller than 10'x10'x6' outside the southern Clark County, Ridgefield, La Center, Yacolt and Battle Ground no-burn areas with a written permit. If you would like help determining if you are within a no burn area, please give us a call at (360) 574-3058. These permits can usually be picked up at a local fire department and are generally free. If your area does not provide these permits you can call the Clark County Fire Marshal at (360) 397-2186 for permit locations. You can also download and print the Clark County Residential Burn Permit here.

Land Clearing Burning (Outside the no-burn boundaries)
For piles larger than 10'x10'x6' and land clearing operations a written permit and site inspection is required. You need to fill out a land clearing permit application, prior to scheduling the site inspection, with the Clark County Fire Marshal. Depending on the time of year it can take up to a week to schedule the site inspection so please fill out your permit application in advance. Call (360) 397-2186 for the nearest office location. There is a permit fee.

Fire Safety Burn Bans
An annual Fire Safety Burn Ban from July 15 through September 30 prohibits residential and land clearing burning throughout Clark County to protect public safety. This Fire Safety Burn Ban may extend beyond these dates by fire marshal recommendation. Outdoor burning is prohibited within the permanent No Burn Areas year-round, regardless of the Fire Safety Burn Ban. The pre-designated Fire Safety Burn Ban and aggressive complaint and enforcement program are designed to promote clean air, good health and reduced fire danger for everyone.

Agricultural Burning
To qualify for agricultural burning inside the no-burn boundaries you must have filed a Schedule F with your federal income tax. Orchard prunings alone do not qualify for an agricultural burn and other restrictions apply (WAC 173-430). Call SWCAA for detailed information, forms and possible fees. For more information about this program, click here.

Silvicultural Burning
For all silvicultural/forest practice burning call the Pacific Cascades Region of the Department of Natural Resources at (360) 577-2025. There is a permit fee.

Areas Where Burning is Permanently Banned

1990: South Clark County non-attainment area.

2001: Battle Ground Urban Growth Area and portions of the Vancouver-Camas-Washougal Urban Growth Areas that extend beyond the non-attainment area.

January 1, 2007: Urban Growth Areas of Ridgefield, La Center and Yacolt.

Under the provisions of the 1990 Federal Clean Air Act, the southern portion of Clark County exceeded federal standards for carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3). This required a ban on outdoor burning within the designated non-attainment area and restrictions on auto emissions and industrial pollutants. The area has since achieved attainment status and was designated a CO/O3 maintenance area. However, the restrictions remain in place to assure continuing attainment and compliance with the FCAA.

With the revision of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-425 in 2000, Washington's outdoor burning rules were amended as follows: On January 1, 2001 outdoor burning was prohibited in the Urban Growth Areas of cities with a population of greater than 5,000. Prohibitions also applied in adjacent areas with a population density of one thousand or more persons per square mile and areas with a reasonable alternative to burning. As of January 1, 2007 urban growth areas for incorporated cities with populations less than 5,000 also become no burn areas. These rules affect Clark County as follows:

The southern Clark County no-burn area was expanded to include portions of the Vancouver, Camas and Washougal urban growth areas that extend beyond the original non-attainment area. The Battle Ground no burn area was created within the boundaries of its urban growth area. On January 1, 2007 the urban growth areas of Ridgefield, Yacolt and La Center became no burn areas. At that time, residential and land clearing burning was prohibited. To see a map of the Battle Ground No Burn Area, click here.

Burning has been permanently banned in both of these areas, with the exception of recreational fires under 3'x3'x2'. Future restrictions may follow based on urban growth boundaries, population density and access to alternatives. Call the Southwest Clean Air Agency at 360-574-3058 for more information.

Into the future, as Urban Growth Areas change, so will the no burn areas.

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