Pierce County not taking chances, announces burn ban to begin in unincorporated area
As warmer temperatures arrive, a burn ban will begin next month until further notice in unincorporated Pierce County.
The ban will take in effect June 1 at 8 a.m. The Pierce County Fire Marshal, in partnership with the Pierce County Fire Chiefs’ Association, has declared the ban, according the county’s website.
“This is due to the of expectation warmer, drier days becoming more common and resulting in fires starting more easily and posing a greater threat to people and property,” the website said.
The burn ban applies to all land clearing and outdoor burning of yard debris in unincorporated Pierce County. It does not apply to small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved campgrounds or private property with the owner’s permission. The use of gas, propane, charcoal or pellet self-contained stoves, smokers and barbecues are allowed.
Recreational fires must:
- Be built in a metal or concrete fire pit, such as those typically found in designated campgrounds and not be used for debris disposal.
Grow no larger than three feet in diameter.
Be in a clear spot free from vegetation for at least 10 feet in a horizontal direction, including at least 25 feet from any structure, and allow 20-foot vertical clearance from overhanging branches.
Always be attended by an alert person and equipment capable of extinguishing the fire, such as hand tools and a garden hose attached to a water faucet that is on, or not less than two, five-gallon buckets of water.
No burning when winds exceed 5 miles per hour.
The last burn ban was declared last year on June 6 and ended Oct. 3, the website said.
This story was originally published May 28, 2024 at 12:42 PM.
