A modified burn ban, prohibiting residential and land-clearing fires, will take effect across unincorporated Whatcom and Skagit counties at 8 a.m. June 9.
The bans, announced last week, are the result of current and forecasted weather conditions in the region, which remain warm and dry as summer heat and wildfire season approaches.
The modified bans prohibit residential and land clearing fires, but permit recreational and cooking fires.
Permitted fires must be tightly controlled, according to an announcement from Skagit County fire marshals. Fires are limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, and can only be conducted under specific settings.
Skagit’s fire marshals said recreational and cooking fires must meet the following safety requirements:
• Fires are only allowed within enclosures at least 14 inches high, no wider than 3 feet, and made of cement blocks, stones or No. 10-gauge steel.
• Burning materials must be kept below the top of the enclosure.
• Always have either a charged garden hose or two, 5-gallon buckets of water available.
• Fires must be 25 feet from combustibles, standing timber or overhanging tree branches.
• Someone 16 years or older must always be present to monitor and/or extinguish the fire.
• Check to see if any additional burning restrictions may apply before lighting any outdoor fire.
Similar requirements are in effect in Whatcom County, where recreational fires must be contained in an enclosure that must be a minimum of 16 inches high, according to an announcement from the county fire marshal’s office.
In the event of a “Red Flag Warning,” issued by the National Weather Service or a Stage 1 or Stage 2 air quality burn ban, issued by the Northwest Clean Air Agency, all outdoor burning is prohibited.
The Skagit burn ban will last until further notice, per a Skagit County announcement.
