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Burning banned in Spokane County for 60 days

Wildfire season is in full force across the United States; here, a U.S. Forest Service representative in Florida monitors a controlled training fire. To prevent local fires, Spokane County entered a 60-day burning ban July 13. Open burning and recreational fires within the unincorporated areas of the county are banned for the two-month period. The ban does not preclude burning otherwise sanctioned by Ordinance, such as field burning, as long as appropriate approvals are obtained. It also doesn’t preclude the use of backyard barbecues, chimneys and other patio/deck warmers as long as only approved fuel such as seasoned firewood, briquettes, or propane is used. (U.S. Air Force file photo/Tech. Sgt. Edward Gyokeres)

County-wide burning ban in effect for 60 days

Published July 17, 2007
Spokane County Public Works

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Beginning July 13, Spokane County Building Official Jim Manson, who also holds County Fire Marshal responsibilities, has ordered an immediate county-wide burning ban that will remain in effect for the next 60 days. The local Fire Districts are already on heightened alert and are very supportive of the burning ban.

Effective immediately, open burning and recreational fires within the unincorporated areas of Spokane County are banned for a period of 60 days. The ban is not intended to preclude burning otherwise sanctioned by Ordinance, such as field burning, provided appropriate approvals are obtained. Nor does it preclude the use of backyard barbecues, chimneys and other patio/deck warmers as long as only approved fuel such as seasoned firewood, briquettes, or propane is used.

Failure to comply with the burning ban could have serious consequences. As stated in Spokane County Code 3.02.090: "Any person(s) conducting open burning who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such burning when ordered to do so shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable upon conviction by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment."

For more information, contact Fire Marshal Jim Manson at 477-7119 or Public Information and Communications Manager Martha Lou Wheatley-Billeter at 477-7195.