Fire safety burn bans and air quality burn bans
Fire safety burn bans
King County, together with Pierce County, Kitsap County, Mason County, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, declares a ban on outdoor burning when the fire danger reaches a critical level.
Air quality burn bans
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency declares a ban on outdoor and/or indoor burning when air quality reaches a critical level. To determine if there is an air quality burn ban, go to www.pscleanair.org (external link).
Fire danger burn ban status: King County lifted burn ban effective July 27, 2007, 8 a.m.
Together with Pierce County, Kitsap County, Mason County, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, King County lifted the burn ban as of 8 a.m. on Friday, July 27, 2007.
Please refer to the DDES burn ban news release for detailed information.
General information about burn bans and burn permits
To check the latest burn ban information, call 1-800-323-BURN. DDES posts burn ban information for unincorporated King County at www.metrokc.gov/permits/publications/news/BurnBans.aspx.
When necessary, the King County Fire Marshal Division imposes a fire safety burn ban in areas outside the jurisdiction of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is the air quality authority for the greater Puget Sound area and restricts burning in more urban, densely populated areas.
Burn permits
Burning in King County, outside the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency boundaries, requires a permit from your local fire district and certain regulations apply.
The King County Fire Marshal Division does NOT issue burn permits. Contact your local fire district about burn permits. For non-emergency contact information on local fire districts, visit the King County Office of Emergency Management's list at www.metrokc.gov/prepare/agency_contacts.aspx.
There may be restrictions which prevent a fire district from issuing a burn permit. As a general rule, burn permits cannot be issued in areas designated as urban zones.
News
Related internal links
- Alternatives to burning wood waste
- Health dangers of wood smoke
- Fire safety tips for rural homeowners (PDF, 421KB)
- Free fire hazard reduction permits
- Emergency services: Fire resources