Confused About Burn Bans?

By Bill Minks

There are different types of burn bans in Kitsap County. One is a permanent ban — prohibiting outdoor burning within Kitsap County's urban growth boundaries. The others are measures to stop burning temporarily for health or fire safety reasons.

Depending where you live in Kitsap County is the difference as to whether you live in a "Burn Zone" or a "No Burn Zone". This came to be by the passage of a law: Outdoor Burning Rule (WAC 173-425). This law states that outdoor burning would no longer be permitted in urban growth or high-density areas, cities or areas where there are other alternatives provided after December 31, 2000. Simply stated if you live in a "No Burn Zone" you are not allowed to burn natural debris outdoors, at any time.

Burn Bans:

AIR QUALITY BANS

• Stage I
  No burning is allowed in fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves, unless it is your only adequate source of heat. This ban applies to residences in the counties where the ban is called. Here is information on how to tell if your stove is certified.
• Stage II
  No burning is allowed in any fireplaces or wood stoves (certified or not), unless it is your only adequate source of heat. The ban applies to residences in the counties where the ban is called. When an air quality burn ban is called, all outdoor burning is banned throughout the counties affected. This includes areas in the "Burn Zone". This type of burn ban is put on by environmental agencies.

FIRE DANGER BURN BANS

In order to better meet the needs of the community the Kitsap County Fire Chief's Association has established a two tiered approach for Fire Danger Burn Bans within Kitsap County. Fire Danger Burn Bans are established when environmental and weather conditions are such that they constitute hazardous conditions. The Fire Danger Burn Ban is established to protect the general public and its policies differ from the Air Quality Burn Ban. The Fire Danger Burn Ban is defined below:

PHASE I: A normal fire safety Burn Ban prohibiting all outdoor fires with the exception of "Recreational/Campfires."

Recreational/Campfires are defined as cooking fires, campfires and small bon-fires three (3) feet or less in diameter using charcoal or fire wood that occur in designated areas for the purpose of cooking, pleasure or ceremonial reasons. Recreational fires must be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from structures and/or combustibles; a shovel, connected water house or five (5) gallon pail of water must be present and a responsible person must be in attendance until the fire is extinguished.

Notes:

• Fires must be completely soaked and cool to the touch before the fire is considered extinguished and safe.
• Recreational/Campfires do not require a burn permit.

PHASE II: An expanded fire safety Burn Ban prohibiting all outdoor fires including "Recreational/Campfires."

No outdoor fires are allowed except in free standing BBQ appliances that use briquettes or propane fuel.

The weather and environment conditions are regularly monitored to access the risk of fire damage. Please note: just because it rains it does not mean the burn ban will be lifted.

The President of the Kitsap County Fire Chiefs Association will consult with the Kitsap County Fire Marshal, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), surrounding county officials, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other Fire Departments within Kitsap County to determine conditions within their jurisdiction.

Information on burn bans within Central Kitsap can be obtained by calling (360) 447-3555 (prerecorded message).

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