Thurston County bans yard waste, land-clearing burns as wildfire danger rises
The Thurston County Fire Marshal has determined that weather conditions meet the fire danger level necessary to restrict outdoor burning in Thurston County.
The burn ban applies to residential yard waste burning and all land-clearing burns.
The restrictions on outdoor burning during the summer have resulted in a significant drop in brush fires and property damage each of the past several years, according to fire officials.
“The fire safety burn ban is enacted when weather and fire fuel conditions reach a level of danger that may pose a threat to people and their property,” Fire Marshal Joshua Cummings in a statement.
Recreational fires are allowed on private residential properties and in established fire rings within official county, state, and federal campgrounds. However, recreational fires must be contained in approved concrete, stone or metal pits like those commonly found in campgrounds.
The use of charcoal briquettes, gas, and propane barbecues are still allowed.
The Thurston County outdoor burn ban is effective as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 5 and will end Sept. 29. More information about burn bans is available on the Thurston County and Olympic Region Clean Air Agency websites.
