Burn Ban Extended in King County

Earlier in the summer, the King County Fire Marshal declared a county-wide burn ban between July 15 and August 30. Due to continued dry weather the King County Fire Marshal has extended the burn ban until further notice. 

This Phase 1 burn ban applies to all outdoor burning except for small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved camp grounds or private property with the owner’s permission.

According to the King County Fire Marshal, these fires must:

• Be built in a metal or concrete fire pit, such as those typically found in designated campgrounds; and not be used as debris disposal
• Grow no larger than three feet in diameter
• Be located in a clear spot free from any vegetation for at least 10 feet in a horizontal direction, including at least 25 feet away from any structure and allow 20-foot vertical clearance from overhanging branches
• Be attended at all times by an alert individual and equipment capable of extinguishing the fire shall be in constant attendance at the site while burning

The wildfire danger level is high in King County, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. A burn ban is in effect through September 30, 2012 on all forest lands under Department of Natural Resources jurisdiction. All outdoor burning is banned with the exception of recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal or other campgrounds. The use of gas and propane barbeques and self contained stoves are allowed.

For more information, visit the King County Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) Fire Marshal website.

--Information from the King County Department of Development and Environmental Services.