Outdoor burning of vegetation is allowed in limited areas of unincorporated Thurston County from October 16 through July 14, depending on the location of the property and outdoor air quality.

If your property is located in an area where burning is allowed, you must get a burn permit for any non-recreational fire -- regardless of the size. This Web site answers frequently asked questions about outdoor burning in Thurston County.

How do I know whether my property is in a burn-ban area?

Outdoor burning is illegal within the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, and within the cities’ Urban Growth Areas. It is also banned in portions of Grand Mound, Bucoda, Tenino, Yelm and Rainier. Burning is allowed in other areas, but only from October 16 through July 14 and only with a permit.

To double-check whether burning is allowed on your property, visit www.geodata.org or call your local fire district (see phone numbers below). To use the Geodata Web site:

• Click on the "parcel search" link of www.geodata.org.

• Acknowledge the disclaimer.

• Enter your street number only, such as "2709" (the street name is not required), and click "go." Scroll until you find your address, then click on the parcel number to see details. (Hint: Adding your street name can be problematic, because the Web site is sensitive to punctuation.)

• Read down the page to see information about residential outdoor burning. (To see a map of your property, click "zoom map to parcel" at the top of the same page. Click the square and circle next to the feature you want to see on the map, and click "refresh." To understand color-coding on the zoning maps, click "legend" at the top of the page.)

Although Thurston County makes every effort to ensure information on its web site is accurate, Thurston County cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies.

If you live in Grand Mound, Bucoda, Tenino, Yelm or Rainier, click here for a map of no-burn areas from the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency.
  

Which types of fires need a burn permit?

A burn permit is required for any outdoor burning, except recreational fires.  Permits for fires up to 10’ x 10’ x 5’ high can be obtained free-of-charge from your local fire department. Larger fires require a burn permit from the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) at a cost of $100 per acre. See below for contact information.
  

What is a “recreational fire?”

A recreational fire means cooking fires, campfires and bonfires using charcoal or firewood that occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure or ceremonial purposes. The total fuel area of the fire may NOT exceed 4' wide x 3’ high.
  

When is burning allowed?

Residential burning is permitted from October 16 through July 14 (only in those areas that allow burning, as explained above). Burning is restricted sometimes because of fire hazards or poor air quality. Check your newspaper or radio for these announcements or contact the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency at (360) 586-1044 or www.orcaa.org.

Residential outdoor burning is not permitted from July 15 through October 15.
  

What may be legally burned?

Only natural vegetation grown on a legally permitted site may be burned -- provided you have a burn permit. It is illegal to burn any other materials, including: garbage, dead animals, asphalt, petroleum products, paints, rubber products, plastics, paper (other than those necessary to start the fire), cardboard, treated wood, construction/demolition debiris, metal, any other substance (other than natural vegetation) that releases toxic emissions, dense smoke or obnoxious odors when burned.
  

May I use a burn barrel?

No, it is illegal to burn anything in a burn barrel in Washington State, including vegetation. Burn barrels restrict the flow of oxygen to fires. As a result, fires burn at a low heat and create more toxic smoke.
  

What rules must I follow?

• Non-recreational burning may only occur during daylight hours.

• Burns may not be ignited if winds exceed 5 mph.  If winds exceed 10 mph, fires must be extinguished.

• The fire may not exceed 10’ x 10’ x 5’ high under a standard fire-department permit. Larger fires require a permit from the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency at (360) 586-1044.

• The burn pile must be no closer than 50 feet from any structure or standing timber, or 10 feet from a property line.

• Fires are not permitted within 500 feet of forest slash.

• Fires must be attended until completely out - NO FLAME, NO SMOKE.

• Only one residential outdoor fire may be burned at any one time.

• A shovel and water-charged hose must be on site and immediately available.  A minimum of two five-gallon buckets full of water may substitute for the water-charged hose.

• Fires are not be allowed during periods of impaired air quality or when burn restrictions are in effect.  See "When is burning allowed?" above.

• Fires must be immediately extinguished, if any emission from the fire is detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of any person, if it causes damage to property or business, or if it causes a nuisance to others. 

• It’s illegal to burn anything in a burn barrel.  

• A permit-holder is responsible for complying with all local, state and federal laws while conducting burning pursuant to the permit.  
      

Are there alternatives to burning?

Yes, before burning, please consider these alternatives:

• Sign up for curbside yard waste service.

• Take yard waste to the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center to be composted.

• If you live in the City of Olympia, take yard waste to the city's Yard Debris Drop-off Site.

• Compost yard waste at home. Click here for composting information.
   

Who should I call to get a permit?

Questions:  Call your local fire department or ORCAA at the phone numbers listed above. To contact the Web master, e-mail wwm-webmaster@co.thurston.wa.us. 
Last updated: 03/04/2010