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2007 Whatcom County small cities, their urban growth
areas and some industrial areas, will be going to a
permanent burn ban. This is not a county wide burn ban
and will only affect the areas listed below.
On
January 1, 2001 , Washington State law permanently
banned both residential and land-clearing burning in
the following cities and their urban growth areas (UGAs):
Island
County : Oak Harbor
Skagit
County : Anacortes, Burlington , Mount Vernon , Sedro-Woolley
Whatcom
County : Bellingham , Ferndale , Lynden
On
January 1, 2007 , the permanent burn ban areas
for both residential and land-clearing burning will
be extended to the following cities and all remaining
UGAs:
Island
County : Coupeville, Langley
Skagit
County : Concrete, Hamilton , La Conner, Lyman, Bay
View, March Point
Whatcom
County : Blaine , Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Birch Bay
, Cherry Point, Columbia Valley
If
you have questions about urban growth boundaries, contact
your local planning department (below).
Island
County Planning Department 360-679-7339
Skagit
County Planning Department 360-336-9410
Whatcom
County Planning Department -360-676-6907
For
more information on state laws and clean air regulations
regarding open burning visit: http://nwcleanair.org/
click on air quality programs then outdoor burning.
If
you live in an area where open burning is allowed and
want to have a fire you the following information will
help you decide what type of burn permit you will need.
Every outdoor fire in Whatcom County requires a burn
permit. The following types of burn permits can be obtained
through the Whatcom County Fire Marshal's Office by
calling the burn information line at 360-676-6934.
Recreational
fires These fires consist only of charcoal
or firewood and are used for cooking or pleasure. All
recreational fires that are larger than 3' feet in diameter
and 2' feet high require a permit. Your fire official
or city may have additional restrictions.
Residential
fires These fires consist of leaves, clippings,
prunings and other yard and garden debris that are generated
on site. If your fire is smaller than 4'X4'X3' you can
call the burn information line to receive an automated
verbal burn permit.
If
you are planning on having a residential fire larger
than 4'X4'X3' you can get a written permit for a residential
burn pile up to 10'x10'. This permit is available by
pre-inspection only. To request a pre-inspection you
will need to call the burn information line which will
give you instructions on how to leave a message for
a fire inspector.
Land-clearing
fires These fires consist of trees, stumps,
shrubbery, or other natural vegetation generated on
site. All land-clearing burning requires a permit. These
permits will allow fires over 10'x10' up to 25'x25'
with increasing safety requirements based on the size
of your pile. Again, these permits are available by
pre-inspection only. To request a pre-inspection you
will need to call the burn information line.
If
your fire will fall under one of the following conditions
you may need to contact the Northwest Clean Air Agency
or the WA State Dept. of Natural Resources.
Silvicultural
fires These are fires on forested lands that
will be replanted and remain forested.
Other
types of burning The following types of fires
are allowed in all areas including permanent burn ban
areas.
-Agricultural
burning
-Storm
& flood debris
-Fire
training
-Rare
and endangered plant regeneration fires
-Ceremonial
fires
-Weed
abatement fires
Northwest
Clean Air Agency issues permits for all live
training fires, agricultural, and other types of burning
(see above). To contact the Northwest Clean Air Agency
call 1-800-622-4627.
Cities
& fire officials with permitting programs
issue permits for recreational, residential and land-clearing
fires within their jurisdictional boundaries. In Whatcom
County this includes Point Roberts, Lummi Island , and
Whatcom County Fire District 8 (for fires under 10'x10'.
Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) issues all silvicultural
fire permits. Call 360-856-3500 to obtain a DNR silvicultural
permit.
What
can be burned? It is only legal to burn natural
vegetation or firewood in any fire. It is illegal to
burn anything else even paper (except for the amount
of paper necessary to start a fire).
Burn
Barrels The use of burn barrels is prohibited
statewide.
Nuisance
- Smoke, odor or ash that unreasonably impacts neighboring
properties is illegal.
Construction
and demolition debris It is illegal to burn
any material resulting from a construction, renovation
or demolition project.
Off
site debris It is illegal to burn any material
that is not generated on site.
Commercial
businesses no burning is allowed at permanently located
commercial establishments except for land-clearing operations
where land-clearing burning is allowed. (NWCAA Section
502.8)
Hours
allowed Burning is allowed during daylight
hours only unless otherwise permitted by the Fire Warden.
(Recreational fires are excluded from this restriction.)
Weather
conditions - Burn only during light winds that
do not exceed 710 MPH. Do not burn during stagnant
weather conditions.
Burn
bans No burning is allowed during a burn
ban.
Burn
Bans- The following is some
information on the types of burn bans that can be called
in Whatcom County . To find out if there is an active
burn ban on the unincorporated areas of Whatcom County
, call the burn information line at 360-676-6934.
Burn
ban due to impaired air quality- is called when air
pollutants are measured at unhealthful levels. Our
agency or the Washington State Department of Ecology
is responsible for calling this type of ban. The stage
of burn ban depends on the level of air pollution:
-
Stage
I Burn Ban: No outdoor burning or
burning in any uncertified wood stove or fireplace.*
-
Stage
II Burn Ban: No outdoor burning
or burning in any wood stove, fireplace or pellet
stove.*
-
*Exemptions:
Households with no other source of adequate heat
can request an exemption from NWCAA to burn during
a burn ban.
Burn
ban due to dry weather conditions- is a temporary
ban on outdoor burning called by a fire official during
periods of high fire danger.
Permanent
burn bans- permanently prohibit land-clearing
and residential burning of yard clippings and other
vegetative debris in specific cities and their urban
growth areas.
If
you live in an area where open burning is allowed and
want to have a fire you can call (360) 676-6934 to get
up to date information on obtaining a burn permit or
stop by the Permit Center located at the corner of Northwest
and Smith Rd.
If
your property falls under the jurisdiction of the Department
of Natural Resources, please call (360) 856-3500 for
burn permit information.
Date:
September 19, 2006
For
Immediate Release
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