Outdoor Burning

 

September 12, 2024
Skagit County lifts Outdoor Burn Ban for Unincorporated Areas beginning September 14, 2024
Effective at 08:00 am. September 14, 2024, and until further notice, residential yard, and land-clearing fires are again permitted in areas within unincorporated Skagit County.

Before lighting any fire, please know your jurisdictional burn rules. Campfires are banned statewide in all portions of Department of Natural Resources protected lands and North Cascade National Parks.

On improved properties or lots within unincorporated Skagit County recreational/cooking fires are still allowed with all safety precautions followed.

During these high fire risk times, it is highly recommended that you only use propane fire pits and refrain from any fires that emit sparks.  

Campfire and Fire Pit Safety Tips

The weather ‘s been wetter than normal so why are we implementing a modified burn ban?

In partnership with the Skagit County Chief’s Association, the Skagit County Fire Marshal's Office has decided to proactively have a “set date” to inform the public when to expect burn restrictions every year. In the past, we have not been able to provide much notice by waiting until the weather models, vegetation flammability and fire potential have reached elevated risk levels.

The “set date” decision is to allow everyone notification and is a proactive measure to mitigate potential fire risks to your community and forest lands. This date is within a week or two of when our area is normally in burn-restrictive times, which we will do moving forward.

We recognize that this year will be educational for everyone, and the goal is to have the debris cleaned up before fire risk times.

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

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