Thurston County burn ban goes into effect July 8. Here’s what’s restricted
Residential yard waste burning and all land clearing burns will be prohibited in unincorporated Thurston County starting July 8.
The temporary burn ban will last through at least Oct. 15, the county announced in a Wednesday news release.
Under the ban, the public can still make recreational campfires on private residential properties and at official county, state, and federal campgrounds, provided the fires are built and contained within established fire rings, according to the release. Approved fire rings are usually made of concrete, stone, or metal and commonly found at campgrounds. The public also may still use charcoal briquettes, gas, pellet grills, and propane barbecues under the current ban.
The county has regularly established similar burn bans during the dry summer months to help prevent wildfires and associated property damage. Western Washington, including Thurston County, is facing moderate wildfire danger as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
“A 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,” the release states.
Thurston County Fire Marshal Ashley Arai determined the weather and other conditions met the fire danger level necessary to enact the temporary burn ban, per the release. This decision was made in consultation with the Thurston County Director of Emergency Services, the Thurston County Fire Chiefs Association, and the Olympic Clean Air Agency.
Arai is also the director of Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development.
More information about the county’s burn ban can be found on its website.
