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What Can I Burn?
It is legal to burn only natural vegetation -- items such as stumps, leaves, brush
trimmings, tree limbs. The burning of trash is prohibited, and hasn't been allowed
for many years. Illegal materials include: paper products such as newspaper or
cardboard, plastics, painted or treated wood, construction debris, gasoline or oil ...
Burn barrels are also illegal.
Where Can I Burn?
Within the Kingston
urban growth area (UGA), no outdoor burning is permitted. Outside the UGA, outdoor
fires must be a minimum of four times the diameter of the burn pile away from any
structures, including fences. The fire must be attended at all times, and a means of
extinguishment -- bucket of water, shovel, garden hose, etc. -- must be readily
available. An area around the fire, no less than four feet wide, should be cleared
of grasses or anything thing that could easily burn. |
Do I Need a Burning Permit?
All fires require a burning permit.
Recreational Burning Permit -- Valid throughout NKF&R's service
area, for fire in designated area and less than three feet in diameter, charcoal or dry
firewood only, no fee for permit, valid for one year.
Residential Burning Permit -- Valid outside the Kingston UGA, burn
pile between zero and ten feet in diameter, containing natural vegetation, no fee for
permit, valid for one year.
Landclearing Burning Permit -- Valid outside the Kingston UGA, burn
pile over ten feet in diameter, containing natural vegetation, no fee for permit, valid
for two weeks only.
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 What is a Burning Complaint?
Even when natural vegetation is being burned, the smoke and odors can be a nuisance to
neighbors. Often, citizens call to complain. We are required by law to
investigate every complaint, even when the fire in question has a legal burning permit.
If the fire is illegal or producing unreasonable amounts of smoke, our crews may
extinguish the burn. If violations are flagrant, we may refer the case to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for enforcement and
fines. To avoid becoming the subject of a burning complaint, follow the rules and
try to be considerate. Talk to your neighbors in advance. Less smoke is
produced by "hot" fires, and the best way to ensure a "hot" fire is by
burning material that's as dry as possible. Fans can also be used to increase the
fire's temperature.
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Will it Always Be Legal to Burn
Outdoors?
Outdoor burning was permanently prohibited in Kitsap County's urban growth
areas (including Kingston) beginning
January 1, 2001. According to the authority implementing this permanent ban (the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency) ,
outdoor burning in additional areas will likely be banned
in the future.
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Temporary Burn Bans
In addition to the permanent outdoor burning ban described above,
agencies occasionally impose temporary bans due to poor air quality or high fire danger.
Fire Danger Burn Bans -- The most common form of burning
ban is driven by a concern for fire danger. During summers (generally) when moisture
levels drop dangerously low, the Kitsap County Fire Chiefs Association coordinates with
the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the County Fire Marshal's Office
to implement an outdoor burning ban. All burning permits are suspended during the
ban, and all outdoor burning -- with the exception of cooking fires in contained barbeque
units -- is prohibited. Once a ban is imposed, it usually remains in place until
significant and sustained rainfall decreases fire danger.
Air Quality Burn Bans -- The other form of burning ban
is most common during the winter months when air stagnation becomes a problem. These
bans are implemented by the Puget Sound Clean Air
Agency when smog levels are dangerously high. During these types of bans, no outdoor
burning is allowed. Use of uncertified fireplaces and woodstoves is also prohibited unless
the devices provide a home's only source of heat. |
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