Outdoor Burning

 

Burn Ban begins June 15, 2026, in Unincorporated Skagit County.

Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, a modified burn ban on all residential and land-clearing fires in unincorporated Skagit County will take effect at 12:01 A.M. on June 15, 2026, and remain in effect until further notice. Skagit County will no longer issue permits for these activities, and existing permits will be suspended on the effective date of the burn ban.

Recreational and cooking fires, limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, remain allowed when safety precautions are followed, except as noted below. Recreational or cooking fires may consist only of charcoal, seasoned firewood, or propane-fueled fire pits and must meet the following requirements. 

• Fires are allowed only within enclosures AT LEAST 14 inches high, no wider than 3 feet, and constructed of cement blocks, stones, or #10-gauge steel.
• Burning materials must be kept BELOW the enclosure's top.
• ALWAYS have a charged garden hose or two 5-gallon buckets of water available.
• Portable outdoor fire pits shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or of combustible materials.
• Recreational fires MUST BE 25 feet away from combustibles, standing timber, or overhanging tree branches.
• Someone 16 years old or older must ALWAYS be present to monitor and/or extinguish any fire.
• Always verify if there are any extra burning restrictions before starting an outdoor fire.

All outdoor burning, including recreational and cooking fires, shall be prohibited in the event of any of the following:

• “Red Flag Warning” issued by the National Weather Service ( Fire Weather ).
• The Northwest Clean Air Agency issues a 'Stage 1 or Stage 2 Air Quality Burn Ban” due to wildfire smoke and air quality concerns that threaten public health (Homepage - Northwest Clean Air Agency ).

If you are within the limits of any incorporated city or town, contact your city fire department for current burning restrictions.

The Northwest Clean Air Agency issues permits for agricultural burning, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources issues permits for silvicultural burning. For information on active permits, contact these agencies directly. If you have questions about open burning in Skagit County, please contact the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-416-1840.

Campfire and Fire Pit Safety Tips

Avoid Unnecessary Burning

So before starting an outdoor burn of any type, please consider the potential impacts on
your neighbors and on local emergency responders, and postpone or cancel your burn if
possible.

Also, avoid causing excessive smoke from wood-burning stoves used for home heating. The
Northwest Clean Air Agency has received a number of complaints about heavy woodstove
smoke.

• Information on alternatives to outdoor burning
• Information on proper use of woodstoves
• Report an illegal burn or excessive smoke, or call 360-428-1617
  .
  More information
• Local air quality information: Northwest Clean Air Agency.
  
• Statewide air quality monitoring: Washington Department of Ecology
  
  

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Illegal Burning
Only natural vegetation (leaves, grass and tree trimmings) may be burned. It is never legal to burn any of thefollowing:

• garbage
• household trash
  
• lumber
  
• building construction waste
  
• demolition debris

Permitted Burning
When a burn ban is not in effect, in unincorporated Skagit County (outside of urban growth areas), you may burn a pile four feet by four feet (or smaller) of natural vegetation without a permit. A burn permit from the Skagit County FireMarshal is required if you plan to burn a larger pile. Applicants can leave a message for the Deputy Fire Marshal at (360) 416-1840. The Fire Marshal will visit the site and issue a burn permit to eligible locations in the order they are received. A nominal fee consistent with the fee schedule is required.

Recycle Instead of Burning
Drop off your recyclables at any of the three Skagit County transfer stations, or visit www.skagitcounty.net/recycle for more information about other ways to recycle your waste.

Compost Your Yard Waste
An eco-friendly alternative to burning your yard waste is to drop it off for composting at these locations:

North Hill Resources
651 North Hill Boulevard
Burlington, WA 98233
360-757-1866

Skagit Soils Inc,
13260 Ball Road
Mount Vernon
360-424-0199

Sunland Bark & Topsoils
12469 Reservation Road
Anacortes
360-293-7188

Skagit Aggregates (Big Rock)
14107 State Route 9
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-826-3077

Recycle Your Construction Debris
Many types of construction waste (wood, concrete, drywall, asphalt, roofing, metals), can be recycled at these locations. Check each facility for the types of debris it accepts.

Lautenbach Industries / T&T Industries/Lauts Inc
13084 Ball Road
Mount Vernon
360-757-4000

North Hill Resources
651 North Hill Boulevard
Burlington, WA 98233
360-757-1866

Skagit Aggregates (Big Rock)
14107 State Route 9
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-826-3077