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Island County lifts burn ban but leaves some limits

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, September 6, 2001

Herald staff

ISLAND COUNTY — Authorities have lifted a burn ban in unincorporated areas of the county, with certain restrictions.

Burning of natural debris will be allowed outside city limits, except in the Oak Harbor Urban Growth Area, under the following restrictions, set into place Wednesday:

  • Only natural vegetation, such as tree limbs and leaves, or untreated lumber 3-feet long or shorter, may be burned. Driftwood may not be burned.

  • The burn pile is less than 10 feet in diameter.

  • All fires must be built on bare soil away from dry grass or foliage, and may not be within 50 feet of any structure. A responsible person must be present at all times while the fire is burning and with a means to extinguish the fire. Only one pile may be burned at a time.

  • Extinguish all fires when winds exceed 7 mph.

  • Notify the fire district before burning. Call I-COM, the countywide emergency dispatch center. Camano Island: 360-629-2224. Central/North Whidbey: 360-679-9567 or 360-678-6116. South Whidbey: 360-321-4400.

    State law prohibits fires in burn barrels.

    Permits are required for outdoor fires larger than 10 feet in diameter in the unincorporated county. There is no outdoor burning in the Oak Harbor Urban Growth Area.

    People with current permits issued for 2001 by the state Department of Natural Resources, which previously issued the permits, must first contact the county fire warden prior to igniting or maintaining a previously permitted fire.

    New permit applicants must contact the county fire warden. There is a minimal fee upon permit approval.

    To contact the fire warden: Camano Island, 360-629-4522, extension 7343; Central/North Whidbey, 360-679-7343; South Whidbey, 360-321-5111, extension 7343.

    DNR has discontinued handling permits for large burn area/pile burning within Island County. Permits previously issued in 2001 and good for 12 months still will be honored. The county fire warden will issue new permits, collect fees and enforce burn regulations for piles larger than 10-feet-by-10-feet.

    The county code is being rewritten, and soon will include a change that requires permits for piles 4-feet-by-4-feet or larger, among other changes.

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