May 13, 2008

Search ORCAA

Get Adobe Reader!

Outdoor Burning

Smoke generated from outdoor burning poses a serious threat to residents throughout the counties served by Olympic Air Pollution Control Authority (ORCAA): Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston. Approximately 29 percent of the complaints received by ORCAA in 1999 were the result of outdoor burning issues. Outdoor burning accounts for approximately 10 percent of the state's air pollution.

ORCAA may call burn bans when weather and atmospheric conditions warrant the action to help protect air quality. ORCAA also honors and supports any and all fire-safety burn bans called by the state Department of Natural Resources and local fire agencies. To find current burn status in your location, Click Here.

New State Laws to Take Effect Jan. 1, 2007

Outdoor burning has already been phased out in many urban areas of our state and beginning January 1, 2007, burning will be prohibited in 17 additional areas. These are (click on the specific City/UGA to see a map of the UGA Boundaries):

Cities in which outdoor burning is currently prohibited include:

Additionally, the City of Cosmopolis prohibits burning by City Ordinance. Additional information about No-Burn Zones and available Alternatives to Outdoor Burning can be found HERE

The Dangers of Smoke

Smoke from outdoor burning includes fine particulate matter that is especially harmful to babies and children whose developing lungs are small and vulnerable. Smoke also harms the elderly and those who suffer from heart disease, asthma, emphysema, or other respiratory diseases.

Outdoor burning also contributes to ozone pollution (smog). The smoky haze can block scenic views for our residents and visitors.

Type of Outdoor Burning

  1. Agricultural Burning is the outdoor burning regulated under chapter 173-430 WAC, including, but not limited to, any incidental agricultural burning for pest or disease control.

  2. Ceremonial Fires are fires for Native American ceremonies, provided that proof of tribal affiliation is certified and that ORCAA has issued a burn permit.

  3. Firefighter Training are fires for training firefighters. For all such fires, the applicants are required to obtain permits from ORCAA. Additional permits are required for structure fires.

  4. Land Clearing Burning is the outdoor burning of trees, stumps, shrubbery, or other natural vegetation from land clearing projects. A permit is required. Additional information available HERE

  5. Recreational Fires are cooking fires, bon fires, or campfires using charcoal or firewood that occur in designated area or on private property. Pile size is limited to 4 feet in diameter and 3 feet in height. Recreational fires are not allowed within Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater city limits without a permit.

  6. Residential Burning is the outdoor burning of leaves, clippings, prunings and other yard and gardening refuse originating on lands immediately adjacent and in close proximity to a human dwelling and burned on such lands by the property owner or his or her designee. Only one pile may be burned at a time. A residential fire may be larger than 4' X 4' only with a written permit issued by a Fire Protection Agency. However, ALL (even if less than four feet in diameter) residential fires in Thurston County now require a permit obtained from your local fire district. Additional information available HERE

  7. Silvicultural Fires are fires for abating a forest fire hazard, to prevent a hazard, for instruction of public officials in methods of forest fire fighting, any silvicultural operation to improve forest lands, and burning used to improve or maintain fire dependent ecosystems for rare plants or animals within state, federal, and private natural area preserves, natural resource conservation areas, parks, and other wildlife areas. Permits are issued by the Department of Natural Resources.

.