Thurston County enacts outdoor burn ban for the summer. Here’s what’s still allowed
Thurston County has temporarily banned residential yard waste burning and all land clearing burns due to fire safety concerns this summer.
The county’s burn ban started Wednesday and will remain in effect through Sept. 30, according to a Tuesday news release. The ban specifically applies to unincorporated areas of the county. The county’s cities have their own bans in place.
Recreational campfires are still allowed for now on private residential properties and at official county, state and federal campgrounds within established fire rings. These are approved concrete, stone or metal pits that are commonly found in campgrounds.
Summer barbecues are still allowed as well. The ban does not apply to charcoal briquettes, gas, pellet grills and propane barbecues.
The Board of County Commissioners approved the burn ban after the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) set the fire risk on public lands in the region to “high” on July 3.
When that happens, the county’s Fire Marshal can determine weather conditions within the county are sufficiently dangerous to enact outdoor burning restrictions. If conditions worsen, more activities may be restricted.
The Fire Marshal, a role currently filled by Brett Bures, reaches that conclusion in consultation with the County Manager, Board of County Commissioners, Thurston County Director of Emergency Services, DNR and the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency.
The county reports that outdoor burning restrictions during the hot, dry summer months have significantly reduced the number of brush fires and property damage over the past several years.
More information about the county’s burn ban can be found on the county’s website. The public can also see updates on state burn bans on the ORCAA website.
