Outdoor & residential burning

We oversee various types of outdoor burning to protect air quality for nearby communities. This includes land clearing, residential yard waste burning, and some fire training burns. Before you burn, check whether you need a permit, if the type of burning you want to do is allowed in your area, or if there is a burn ban in place.

Where you live determines what you can burn

Whether or not outdoor burning is legal is determined by the location of your residence or business. Check to see if you are in an urban growth area and for burn bans before you burn.

Required burning permits

The type of burning you are planning and the location of the burn will determine whether or not you need a permit. Review the information below to determine if you need a permit.

What's illegal to burn

It's important to verify that what you want to burn is legal before you begin burning. You can be fined up to $10,000 per day for illegal burning. 

Burning any type of garbage or construction debris is not allowed. This includes: 

• Paper, cardboard and junk mail
• Construction debris, lumber and treated wood
• Rubber
• Metal
• Plastics and petroleum products
• Dead animals
• Asphalt
• Any substance that emits toxins or bad odors when burned

Using burn barrels is illegal

The fires in burn barrels receive little oxygen and create toxic smoke that stays low to the ground. Burn barrels are illegal statewide.

Report illegal burning

If you are having trouble breathing or if smoke from an outdoor burn is getting into your house, call 911 for immediate help or report illegal burning.
 
For other questions contact:

County	Phone	Email
Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, and Okanogan counties	509-575-2490	agburnteamcro@ecy.wa.gov
Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties	509-329-3400	agburnteamero@ecy.wa.gov
San Juan County	425-649-7267	david.adler@ecy.wa.gov
Benton, Spokane, Yakima, and all other Western Washington counties	Contact your local clean air agency	Contact your local clean air agency