ALERT! Okanogan County Burn Restriction Effective June 15, 2024
A Burn Restriction will be in effect from June 15, 2024 at 12:01 AM (midnight) through October 15, 2024 at 12:01 AM (midnight). Questions? Please visit the Okanogan County Emergency Management page.
The County Commissioners implement BURN RESTRICTIONS and BURN BANS during times of high fire danger. Okanogan County uses a two-step system for restricting outdoor burning:
• The BURN RESTRICTION allows recreational fires and NO OTHER OUTDOOR BURNING.
The Burn Restriction is activated by a set date (June 15 to October 15), but may be implemented earlier or extended due to conditions. The Burn Restriction prohibits ALL field/pile/rubbish/rule/slash/yard vegetation and non-emergent agricultural burning on private lands within the unincorporated areas of Okanogan County, reducing the risk of wildfires. Recreational Fires are ALLOWED during a burn restriction if used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes and the fuel being burned is other than rubbish. Fires used for debris disposal purposes are NOT considered recreational fires. (See Recreational Fire definition below.)
• A BURN BAN prohibits ALL OUTDOOR BURNING, including recreational fires and the use of charcoal.
A Burn Ban is implemented when High Fire Conditions exist and will revert to a Burn Restriction when rescinded. A Burn Ban prohibits ALL outdoor burning of combustible materials which may include, but are not limited to yard vegetation or waste, non-emergency agricultural burning, exploding gun targets, and bullet tracer rounds. Propane fire pits are ALLOWED during a burn ban. Propane flames cannot be larger than 3 feet wide and 2 feet in height and not burned within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. (DNR burning restrictions may apply to your private property if you are assessed a DNR Fire Control tax. This can be found on your county tax statement.)
• • • Recreational Fire Definition • • •
Recreational fires shall be contained in a concrete, rock, or steel ring (made from non-combustible material), no larger than 3 feet in diameter and no less than 8 inches in height. The fire (flames) shall be no higher than 2 feet and not conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Recreational fires SHALL be attended to at all times.
The Fire Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from the BOCC, DNR, Emergency Management, Fire Chiefs, Forest Service, and the Sheriff’s Office make recommendations to the Commissioners on implementing a burn restriction or burn ban. When a burn restriction/ban in place it will be posted on the Emergency Management webpage at: https://www.okanogancounty.org/government/emergency_management