Clark County to implement warm weather burn ban on July 15 

Clark County will restrict all land clearing and residential burning starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 15. 

The fire marshal is also rescinding all burning permits that were issued prior to the ban, stated a news release. Permits can be reissued or extended when the ban is lifted.

“Along with DNR and neighboring counties (Pacific, Cowlitz, Lewis, Wahkiakum and Skamania) open burning in Clark County will be closed until Sept. 30,” stated Clark County Fire Marshal Dan Young in the release. 

The burning restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands.

Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties jointly implement a policy to ban outdoor burning from July 15 through Sept. 30 each year so they have “predictable and consistent burn bans.” The timeframe was selected based on years of information about fuel conditions, stated the release.

Recreational campfires on forest lands are allowed only in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds at commercial campgrounds and local, county and state parks. 

Recreational fires are permitted on private land if they are built according to the following regulations: 

• Recreational fires must be in a metal-, stone- or masonry-lined fire pit like those in improved campgrounds or available at home and garden stores.
• Size may not exceed 3 feet in diameter by 2 feet in height.
• Fires must be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustible material and have at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead fuels like tree limbs, patio covers or carports.
• Fires must be attended at all times by a responsible person who is at least 16 years old and has the ability and tools to extinguish the fire. Tools include a shovel and either five gallons of water or a connected and charged water hose.
• Portable outdoor fireplaces, also known as patio fireplaces, designed to burn solid wood should not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material and must always be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Completely extinguish recreational fires by covering them with water or moist soil and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch.
• Self-contained camp stoves are a safe and easy alternative to campfires.

For more information, contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 564-397-2186 or visit the county’s website at clark.wa.gov/community-development/outdoor-burning.