Wahkiakum County - Outdoor Burning Information

The Fire Safety Burn Ban for Wahkiakum County lifted at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2009. Land clearing, residential and silvicultural burning is allowed with the proper permits. Recreational campfires are allowed if built in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds. On private land, campfires are permitted with the landowner’s permission in metal, stone or masonry-lined fire pits. They cannot exceed three feet in diameter and must be attended at all times.

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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.

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 4'x4'x3' are still allowed in all of Wahkiakum 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 4'x4'x3' need a large fire permit. Contact Chuck Beyer for a permit at (360) 795-3067 or toll free at (360) 465-2654. There is no fee for the large fire permit.

Residential Burning
Piles under 4'x4'x3' need a small fire permit. These permits can usually be picked up at a local fire department or town hall. If your area does not provide these permits you can call Chuck Beyer at (360) 795-3067 or toll free at (360) 465-2654 to request a copy of the permit. There is currently no fee for the permit.

Land Clearing Burning
For piles larger than 4'x4'x3' and land clearing operations you need to call Chuck Beyer at (360) 795-3067 or toll free at (360) 465-2654 to request a large fire permit. There is currently no permit fee.

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 Not Allowed

WAC 173-425-040(3)(4)(5) prohibits outdoor burning in cities with a population of greater than 10,000, adjacent areas with a population density of one thousand or more persons per square mile, and areas with a reasonable alternative to burning.

Currently there are no areas in Wahkiakum County that meet any of these criteria.

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