OUTDOOR BURNING PERMIT INFORMATION
ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Outdoor burning is allowed with restrictions in Island County.  Areas in and around Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Freeland and Langley are included in the Urban Growth Area.  Outdoor burning of fires larger than 3 feet in diameter are not allowed in these areas. Please call the appropriate office to determine if your specific address is included in the Urban Growth Area for your city or town.    Recreational fires are allowed.  To obtain a verbal permit for a recreational fire, please call 1-800-622-4627, ext 4. 

Recreational Fires:
Recreational fires consist only of charcoal or firewood used for cooking or pleasure, and are no larger than 3 feet across and 2 feet high.  For a verbal permit, call 1-800-622-4627, ext 4. or go to www.nwcleanair.org

• The fire is in an enclosure no larger than 3 feet across.  The enclosure must be a minimum of 16 inches high and made of cement block, stones or #10 gauge steel.
• Materials being burned must be kept lower than the sidewalls of the enclosure.
• A charged garden hose or 2 five-gallon buckets of water must be on site.
• A shovel or rake must be on site.
• The fire must be 25 feet from any standing timber.
• Tree branches must be cleared to the height of 15 feet above the enclosure.
• One person 16 or older who is capable of putting the fire out must be in attendance at all times.
• The fire must be contained within a firebreak (bare ground).
• The landowner’s permission must be obtained if not on your property.

To obtain a written permit, please call
    Fire Warden Fred Wefer at 360-391-0392

Residential Fires - $40.00 for a 3-Day period:

Fires larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high require a written permit.  Residential fires consist of leaves, clipping, prunings and other yard and garden debris that are generated on site.

• Fires must not exceed 10 feet in diameter
• A shovel or rake must be in site.
• For piles over 10’ x 10’ a land clearing permit is required.
• One person age 16 or older who is capable of putting the fire out must be in attendance at all times and must have a method to call 911 if needed.
• Only one pile may be burned at a time unless permitted otherwise.
• Do not burn during periods of air stagnation.
• All fires must be contained within a firebreak (bare ground).  The firebreak must equal the size of the pile.
• The fire must be 50 feet from any structure, standing timber or power lines.
• The landowner’s permission must be obtained if not on your property.
• Water must be on site:
• Fires less than 4 feet must have a charged garden hose capable of reaching the fire or 10 gallons of water and a bucket.
• Fires 4-10 feet must have a charged garden hose or a 55-gallon water source with a pump and enough hose capable of reaching the fire.

Land Clearing Burning - $100.00 per 24-Hour period:

All land clearing fires require a permit and consist of natural vegetation generated from on site land-clearing projects.

• Pile size must not exceed 30 feet in diameter
• A bulldozer or excavator with an operator must be on site at all times during the burning.
• A fan must be used to start the fire and assist with burning
• A shovel and rake must be on site
• A 350-gallon water source with a pump and enough 1½” hose to reach the entire fire must be on site.
• One person age 16 or older who is capable of putting the fire out must be in attendance at all times and must have a method to call 911 if needed.

• Only one pile may be burned at a time unless permitted otherwise.
• Do not burn during periods of air stagnation.
• All fires must be contained within a firebreak (bare ground).  The firebreak must equal the size of the pile.
• The fire must be 50 feet from any structure, standing timber or power lines.
• The landowner’s permission must be obtained if not on your property.

To obtain a written permit, please call
Fire Warden Fred Wefer at 360-391-0392

Contact information regarding Urban Growth Areas:
Oak Harbor 679-5551
Coupeville 678-4461
Langley 221-4246
Freeland Chamber of Commerce 331-1980
Island County information 679-7378

YOU MAY BE CHARGED A FEE IF YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS CALLED OUT TO YOUR FIRE DUE TO ILLEGAL BURNING.