Overview of Residential Burning Rules and Permits

When is Burning Permitted?
Residential outdoor burning is permitted from October 16 through July 14

Where is Burning Permitted?
A Residential outdoor burning permit is valid only in unincorporated areas of Thurston County outside the Urban Growth Management Area boundaries of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater

What Can Legally be Burned? 
Only natural vegetation grown on a legally permitted site

What is Required?
You must possess a Residential Outdoor Burning permit for these fires.  A signed permit must be posted at the burn site

How Do I Obtain A Free Permit?
You may obtain a Residential Outdoor Burning permit at Fire Station 61 at 8047 Normandy St. SE, or Station 64 at 9530 Old Highway 99 SE

What are Safe Burning Practices?
Residential Outdoor Burning permit applicants must comply with all regulations that are specified on the permit.  Those regulations include, but are not limited to, hours of burning, conditions of burning, size of burn pile, locations of burning, fire safety rules, and air quality implications of residential outdoor burning.  Burn barrels are outlawed in Washington.

What about Permits for
Other Outdoor Burning?
A Land Clearing burn permit can be obtained by calling Olympic Region Clean Air Agency at 360-586-1044.  Land clearing burning involves trees, stumps, shrubbery or other natural vegetation from land clearing projects.

A Silvicultural burn permit can be obtained by calling the State Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-527-3305.  Silvicultural burns are fires for abating a forest fire hazard; to prevent a hazard.

What if There’s a Complaint About Nuisance Outdoor Burning?
If the fire is hostile in nature or contains a large amount of prohibitive material and must be extinguished, it is the Fire Department’s responsibility to extinguish.  Call ORCAA 360-586-1044 or after hours 360-789-3652 to coordinate the violation process
 

 

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