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Outdoor Fires Return to WA as Autumn Arrives
1 Oct
Summary
- Washington's statewide burn ban ends Sept. 30 across all 39 counties.
- Some areas like King County remain under a Stage 2 burn ban.
- Several large wildfires continue to burn in Washington state.
As Washington welcomes cooler fall weather and overcast skies, the statewide ban on outdoor recreational burning will conclude this week. Governor Jay Inslee's ban, initially enacted in August, covered campfires, bonfires, yard debris, trash disposal, land clearing, and agricultural burns.
The statewide restriction will lift on September 30th in all 39 counties. However, certain areas, such as King County and Seattle, will maintain their Stage 2 burn ban indefinitely. This means some residents will still be unable to have open fires.
Kitsap County has announced that its Stage 1 burn ban will also be lifted on October 1st at 8 a.m., permitting recreational fires and general outdoor burning to resume under normal regulations. Despite these changes, fire authorities emphasize the need for continued caution. "We still urge caution, as heavier fuels remain dry," stated Kitsap County Fire Marshal David Lynam.
This easing of restrictions comes as several significant wildfires continue to burn across Washington. Notable active fires include the Sinlahekin (166,007 acres, 93% contained) and Little Giant (172,891 acres, 93% contained) fires, among others that are less contained. Residents can check the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center's Northwest Fire Map for the latest updates on active blazes.
