Can you have a campfire where you live in Pierce County? Here are the rules
Pierce County is enforcing an indefinite burn ban as of June 1, but not for campfires — yet.
A news release from Pierce County in April details that, due to rising temperatures and “ongoing drought conditions,” the county would issue a stage 1 burn ban at 8 a.m. June 1. The ban forbids land clearing fires and burning yard debris in unincorporated Pierce County. Smaller recreational fires are allowed without a burn permit across the region given that the fire follows a number of guidelines — ranging from flame size to distance from structures — according to the respective city.
In a phone call with The New Tribune June 1, Pierce County Fire Marshal Ken Rice stated that the duration of the burn ban will depend on weather conditions, accounting for humidity, wind speed, and temperatures. Rice said that the department does not have a specific end date in mind this early in the season. September’s conditions are usually still “dicey,” he said. Last year’s ban lasted until October.
Rice suspects that the burn ban will elevate to stage 2 in July, which would ban all recreational flames. But for now, recreational fires are allowed.
“In a nutshell, the stage 1 burn ban prohibits burning of slash piles, big piles of brush … but you can have a recreational fire pit,” Rice said. “We’re not trying to stop anybody’s fun. We want Pierce County to not have a giant fire that displaces hundreds.”
Residents who violate the burn ban face citations, and if a fire agency responds, the resident has to pay for the cost of that, Rice said. That can cost tens of thousands of dollars, he said.
“It’s going to get really expensive if we have to come out,” Rice said.
What are the rules for recreational fires?
Depending on where you live in Pierce County, you might be subject to differing guidelines when it comes to recreational fires. All city and region guidelines mandate an adult presence near any recreational fire, as well as fire extinguishing methods, from hoses and water buckets to specific grade fire extinguishers. Additionally, all Pierce County cities require that a flame must be 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. The cities differ, however, in permit requirements, fuel recommendations, and the distance required from structures and flammable objects.
Tacoma
In the city of Tacoma, a recreational fire must not be on public property according to the city’s website. For a fire bigger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, a bonfire permit is required from the city. If the fire is contained, such as through a fire pit, fire bowl, or chiminea, the flame must be 15 feet from any structure. Fires not confined to these structures (i.e. “campfire-style”) must be 25 feet away from structures. The city recommends that fires be fueled by clean natural firewood, charcoal, or manufactured fire logs.
Gig Harbor
Following the county-wide ban, Gig Harbor has also forbidden the burning of yard debris, including the use of “previously issued burn permits,” according to the city’s website. A recreational flame, which does not require a permit, must be 25 feet away from any structure and 10 feet away from any property lines, fences or decks. Gas, propane, charcoal, and wood-fueled barbecues are allowed.
Central Pierce Fire and Rescue
Central Pierce Fire and Rescue’s website states that outdoor burning of yard debris is only allowed in specific areas of the district with a burn permit when no burn ban is imposed by the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau or the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Recreational fires in Central Pierce should not be within 25 feet of a structure. Like Gig Harbor, CPFR requires that a minimum of 10 feet be maintained around the fire pit, free of any “combustible material,” including nearby vegetation. Fires should burn dry seasoned firewood, “Dura-flame/Presto logs” or charcoal briquettes.
West Pierce Fire and Rescue
West Pierce Fire and Rescue’s website, which covers Lakewood and University Place, reads that recreational fires are allowed and that it is illegal year-round to burn trash or yard debris. Recreational fires should be 25 feet from “anything that can burn.”
East Pierce Fire and Rescue
East Pierce Fire and Rescue’s website, which covers stations around Bonney Lake and Sumner, states that residential fires (yard burning) are allowed by permit in “designated areas” from Oct. 1 to May 31. Following the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s guidelines, a little under half of EPFR’s jurisdiction is ineligible for a residential fire permit (a map on the fire agency’s website shows where). Should a resident be granted a residential fire permit, the flame should be 50 feet from structures, and should not exceed 4 feet in diameter and 3 feet in height. Additionally, fires in this area should not be ignited before 8 a.m. and should be “completely extinguished” by sunset. Recreational fires (camp fires), on the other hand, are allowed without a permit by EPFR so long as the flame is set back 25 feet from structures. EPFR allows gas/propane grills, pellet grills and smokers, and charcoal grills.
South Pierce Fire and Rescue
South Pierce Fire and Rescue, according to its website, states that it “follows all burn ban restrictions” set by the Pierce County Fire Marshal.
State lands
Burn permits can be requested through your local fire station if the requested fire is burned within city limits. Should a fire be burned on property owned by the state’s Department of Natural Resources, a permit should be acquired from https://dnr.wa.gov/wildfire-resources/outdoor-burning/burn-permits.
