Land clearing and residential burning in Clark County will be banned starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday until Sept. 30 or later.
County Fire Marshal John Dunaway is rescinding burning permits issued before the ban. After the ban is lifted permits can be reissued or extended. The ban does not apply to federally managed lands.
Campfires are allowed in improved fire pits in designated campsites at private campgrounds or local, county and state parks. Campfires on private land are allowed so long as they comply with the following regulations:
• Fires are built in metal-, stone- or masonry-lined fire pits at least 25 feet from a structure and at least 20 feet of overhead clearance from tree limbs, carports or patio covers.
• Portable fireplaces, also known as patio fireplaces, designed to burn wood, should be used 15 feet away from a structure or combustible material and in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Fires are smaller than 3 feet in diameter by 2 feet in height.
• The fire is attended by someone 16 years or older with tools and ability to extinguish it.
• Fires are extinguished with water or moist soil and stirring until it’s cool to the touch.
Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties jointly follow a policy to ban outdoor burning from July 15 through Sept. 30 every year. The period was chosen based on information on fuel conditions amassed through the years. Depending on conditions, the ban beginning and ending dates can be changed.
For more information, contact the fire marshal’s office at 360-397-2186 or visit the county’s website: www.clark.wa.gov/development/fire/burning.html.
