FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Burn Ban Takes Effect June 15th in Unincorporated Skagit County

Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, a modified burn ban for all residential and land-clearing fires in unincorporated Skagit County will go into effect at 8:00 a.m. on June 15, 2025, and continue until further notice. Skagit County will no longer issue permits for burn activities, and existing permits will be suspended.

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 can consist only of charcoal, seasoned firewood, or propane-fueled firepits and must meet the following requirements:

Fires are only allowed within enclosures AT LEAST 14 inches high, no wider than three feet, and made of cement blocks, stones, or #10-gauge steel.
Burning materials must be kept BELOW the top of the enclosure.
ALWAYS have a charged garden hose or two five-gallon buckets of water available.
Portable outdoor firepits shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible materials.
Recreational fires MUST BE 25 feet from combustibles, standing timber, or overhanging tree branches.
Someone 16 years old or older must ALWAYS be present to monitor and/or extinguish the fire.
Check to see if additional burning restrictions apply before lighting any outdoor fire.

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

“Red Flag Warning” issued by the National Weather Service (https://www.weather.gov/fire/).
“Stage 1 or Stage 2 Air Quality Burn Ban” due to wildfire smoke and air quality conditions threatening public health, as issued by the Northwest Clean Air Agency (https://nwcleanairwa.gov/).

If you are within the limits of any incorporated city or town, check with 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. Contact those agencies directly for information on active permits.

Questions about open burning in Skagit County? Please contact the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-416-1840 or check www.skagitcounty.net/firemarshal.

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