Pursuant to State of Washington Clean Air Act, Chapter 70.94 RCW, WAC173-425 and the International Fire Code, WAC 51.54.0300 (Chapter 3) requirements and in coordination with Lincoln County Fire Districts created pursuant to Chapter 52.12 RCW, all outdoor burning must be in compliance with such applicable statutes, codes and policies of the State of Washington and Lincoln County. Please Note: Lincoln County is not fully planning under the WA State Growth Management Act, therefore is not subject to the new burning rules that impact urban growth areas associated with incorporated communities. Please continue to follow the guidelines listed below.
“Burn Barrel Use Prohibited” The use of a burn barrel was banned in the State of Washington effective April 13, 2000. Burning garbage has been illegal in the State of Washington since 1967.
“Outdoor Burning” means the combustion of material of any type in an open fire or in an outdoor container without providing for the control of combustion or the control of emissions from the combustion. For the purposes of this notice, “outdoor burning” means all types of outdoor burning, EXCEPT agricultural burning and silvicultural/forest practices burning, which is regulated pursuant to the Washington Clean Air Act, Chapter 70.94 RCW and WAC173-425. Please contact the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for forest practices burning permit questions and/or the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) for burning large piles and/or agricultural burning permits and additional information, DNR 509-684-7474 (Colville) or 509-925-8510 (Ellensberg), DOE 509-329-3400 (Spokane).
“Residential Burning” means the outdoor burning of leaves, clippings, prunings and other yard and gardening natural refuse originating on lands immediately adjacent and in close proximity to a human dwelling and burned on such lands by the property owner or his or her designee. NOTE: Burning a pile not over 4ft. x 4ft. x 3 ft. is allowed, unless prohibited by Lincoln County Fire Districts and/or Washington State during times of high fire danger and/or an air pollution episode. Please contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 509-725-3501 prior to burning.
Contact the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) for burning permits and/or additional information, DNR 509-684-7474 (Colville) or 509-925-8510 (Ellensberg), DOE 509-329-3400 (Spokane).
“Recreational Fire” means barbecues and campfires using charcoal, natural gas, propane or natural wood, which occur in designated areas or on private property for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. Fires used for debris disposal purposes are not considered recreational fires. A recreation fire, not over 3ft. x 3ft. x 2ft. in size, is allowed in Lincoln County without a permit, unless prohibited by Lincoln County Fire Districts and/or Washington State during times of high fire danger and/or an air pollution episode. Please note that campfires are not allowed on state land EXCEPT, in DNR campgrounds. Also, please contact the National Park Service (NPS) for their camping fires requirements, 509-633-9441 (Coulee Dam) or 509-725-2715 (Fort Spokane).
Please call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 911 to report a fire and for additional burning information please call 509-725-3501.
For burning requirements within the incorporated areas of Lincoln County, please contact that town or fire department.
Department of Ecology Agricultural Burn Program Hotline – 1-800-406-5322
Department of Ecology Air Quality and Smoke Complaints – 1-800-211-6284
Bureau of Land Management – 1-509-536-1235
Department of Natural Resources North of State Route 2 -1-509-684-7474
Department of Natural Resources South of State Route 2 -1-800-826-3383