Smoke & fire management
Smoke from burning pollutes the air and can cause serious health problems. Controlling air pollution in Washington is based on federal, state, and local laws and rules. We apply and enforce regulations for outdoor burning and wood stoves. In counties where there is no local clean air agency, we call an air quality burn ban when needed.
Information about burn bans in your area
Air quality burn bans are called by our agency, local clean air agencies, and tribes when air is unhealthy. A burn ban limits wood stove use and outdoor burning. Use the map below to find out which agency regulates burning in your area.
Fire safety burn bans are called by the Washington Department of Natural Resources, local fire districts, local conservation districts, and Tribes to protect people and property when wildfire danger is high. These burn bans limit outdoor, residential, agricultural, and forest burning. Check with your local fire district before lighting a fire.
This map shows the clean air agency for each county. Washington clean air agencies
Managing smoke and fire to protect people
We keep air pollution from reaching unhealthy levels by issuing agricultural burning permits, setting standards for wood stoves, and calling burn bans. We work with EPA and local clean air agencies to develop regulations and guidelines to protect your health.
You can make a low-cost, yet effective, air cleaner.
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Make a clean air fan
Learn how to make a low‑cost clean air fan. This simple fan‑filter combination can reduce the amount of the tiny, harmful particles in dirty air – from wildfire smoke, wood smoke, dust, vehicle exhaust, and pesticide spray. Use it in a small room, with the windows and doors closed.
Health impacts of smoke
Air pollution from smoke can cause serious health problems. Much like cigarette smoke, the smoke from burning leaves and other tree debris, grass, and brush can cause asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and lung cancer. People who are hurt the most by unhealthy air are:
- Children
- 65 and older
- Pregnant
- Have breathing problems
Before you burn or when smoke is in the air, check:
Related links
Contact information
Andrew Wineke
Communications Manager, acting
andrew.wineke@ecy.wa.gov
360-791-1939