FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Skagit County Burn Ban Modified to Allow Recreational Fires

Due to the increase in moisture levels, recreational fires are now allowed in unincorporated areas of Skagit County. Residential yard and land-clearing fires continue to be banned until further notice.

Recreational fires are those used for cooking or pleasure, consist only of charcoal or seasoned firewood, and meet the following requirements:

Fire must be in an enclosure that is a minimum of 16 inches high, no wider than three feet across, and made of cement block, stones, or #10-gauge steel.
Burned material must be kept lower than the sidewalls of the enclosure.
- The following must be always in the immediate vicinity of the enclosure and present during burning. o A charged garden hose; or two, five-gallon buckets of water; or a five-gallon Class-A fire extinguisher and a shovel.
- Fires must be 25 feet from any standing timber or combustibles and there must be no tree branches within 15 feet above the enclosure.
- There must be at least one person 16 years of age or older, in attendance at all times, who is capable of putting the fire out.

Burn restrictions are still in effect on all Washington State Department of Natural Resources lands. No fires are allowed on DNR-managed recreational sites in Skagit County.

If you are within the limits of an incorporated city or town, check with your fire department for current burn restrictions.

If you have questions about open burning in Skagit County, please contact the Skagit County Fire Marshal?s Office at (360) 416-1840 or our Outdoor Burning website below. http://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/FireMarshal/burning.htm?

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