Pierce County bans outdoor burns amid dry, hot conditions

Pierce County has ordered a county-wide burn ban in the unincorporated area as hot, dry weather creates potentially hazardous conditions for wildfires.

The decree comes after Washington state on Tuesday banned burns on 12 million acres of public and private forest land after four wildfires began in the past week. That ban will last through September unless conditions approve.

The county ban, which goes into effect Thursday at 8 a.m., will last until further notice.

In a news release, Pierce County emphasized that land-clearing and yard-debris outdoor burning are not allowed under the ban.

The fine for violating the ban is $1,000 per day, plus the cost of putting out the fire if it gets out of control, Pierce County Public Information Specialist Mike Halliday wrote over email.

Small recreational fires are allowed in a metal or concrete fire pit in a designated campground or on private property.

Gas and propane self-contained stoves and barbecues are also allowed.

For residents choosing to make a small recreational fire in an authorized fire pit, Pierce County advises the fire to be smaller than 3 feet in diameter, located 10 feet away from vegetation and 20 feet away from overhanging branches. The county also requires the fire to be constantly attended, that a means for extinguishing the fire be nearby, and that winds not be more than 5 miles per hour.

Halliday added that anyone with additional questions about what they can burn should consult their local fire department.

This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 12:43 PM with the headline "Pierce County bans outdoor burns amid dry, hot conditions."