Thurston County burn ban in effect through September
Restrictions on outdoor burning are now in effect in Thurston County and are scheduled to last through Sept. 30.
The restrictions prohibit yard-waste burning and land-clearing burns on county-regulated land. The yearly summertime ban went into effect Wednesday, according to the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA), and the county’s Fire Safety Burn Ban went into effect at 3 p.m. Friday.
Recreational fires are still allowed under the bans. According to a county news release, recreational fires are allowed on private residential properties and in established fire rings at county, state, and federal campgrounds. Using charcoal briquettes, gas, and propane barbecues also is allowed.
Recreational fires have to be “contained in approved concrete, stone or metal pits,” the county’s press release reads.
A yearly, seasonal prohibition of outdoor burning of residential materials in Thurston County begins July 15 and has been in place for many years, according to ORCAA spokesperson Dan Nelson.
Fire restrictions apply year-round to residents of Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey and those living within Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundaries.
Within those three cities, residential yard-waste burning and recreational fires are always prohibited, according to ORCAA. For residents living in UGAs, residential yard-waste burning is prohibited year-round but recreational fires are allowed.
The date the county’s Fire Safety Ban is enacted varies. Its enactment follows Fire Marshal Joshua Cummings’ consultation with the county manager, Board of County Commissioners, director of Emergency Services, and ORCAA, according to the county press release.
Cummings added in a phone conversation with The Olympian that the decision is also tied to the state Department of Natural Resources, which increased its fire danger rating to Moderate and enacted burning restrictions on lands it manages in Thurston County on Friday.
The county doesn’t enforce its burn ban, said Cummings, who called it a “tool” for fire districts. Cummings also serves as director of the county’s Community Planning and Economic Development department.
On the other hand, Nelson said ORCAA can issue fines for violating its ban that range from a couple hundred dollars to almost $15,000 in especially egregious cases, but that the agency generally attempts to change behaviors through education before issuing fines.
A map of no-burn areas is available on ORCAA’s website.
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