Outdoor and residential burning
We regulate burning of land clearing debris and residential yard waste in counties with no local clean air agency.
Try composting your yard debris instead of burning it.
Before you burn, check if:
- What you want to burn is legal (see below).
- You need a burn permit.
- Burning is allowed in your area (urban growth area).
- There is a burn ban.
Alternatives to burning
- Grasscycle — Leave grass clippings on your lawn to add nutrients back into the soil for a healthy lawn.
- Compost — Break down your yard waste (leaves, grass, prunings) in a bin or a pile to make compost.
- Chip — Chip branches and prunings to use in your garden as free mulch.
- Curbside pickup — Recycle your yard waste with curbside pickup. Check with your local government or waste management company to see if this is available.
- Community or neighborhood cleanup days — Check with your local government to see if your community has a cleanup event to dispose of yard waste.
- Landfills — Recycle your yard waste at the landfill or a community drop-off location. Check with your local government or waste management company to see if this is available.
Related links
Contact information
Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, and Okanogan counties
agburnteamcro@ecy.wa.gov
509-575-2490
Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties
agburnteamero@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3400
San Juan County
sean.lundblad@ecy.wa.gov
360-789-9896
Benton, Spokane, Yakima, and Western Washington counties (other than San Juan County)
Contact your local clean air agency