Pierce County Burn Ban Lifted

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — The burn ban for unincorporated Pierce County has been lifted as of 8 a.m. Monday morning.

After a harried September marred by fires, heavy smoke and low air quality, conditions have improved significantly for Puget Sound and western Washington. So much so, that Pierce County officials have lifted a burn ban in place for all of Pierce County, citing recent rainfalls and a moderate temperature forecast as reason enough to lift the restriction.

Though the ban is lifted, residents can still only burn natural vegetation that came from the burn site. Garbage, paper or other trash burns are still prohibited, as they always are.

To make sure your fire is safe, the fire marshal has offered up a few fire safety guidelines:

• Only burn dry firewood, manufactured logs, or charcoal.
• Keep the fire smaller than three feet wide and two feet tall.
• Fires should be burned in a designated fire pit, 25 feet or more from any nearby buildings.
• Make sure the fire is attended at all times, and has a fire extinguisher or retardant ready.
• If a neighbor complains of having health problems because of the fire, be courteous and put it out.

Other restrictions may remain in place for select parts of the county that have bans because of environmental or pollution laws. If you are not sure whether your area has its own burn bans or restrictions, contact your local fire district or the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s Office at (253) 798-7179.