WASHINGTON — Washington’s statewide burn ban is lifting today, though that doesn’t mean that fire season is over.
As of Sept. 30, the statewide burn ban has been lifted. This date was in line with Gov. Bob Ferguson’s emergency proclamation as Washington saw a historic wildfire season this year.
The state experienced critically dry conditions with below-normal precipitation levels and above-average temperatures. As a result, hundreds of thousands of acres have burned across the state since at least July.
The statewide ban prohibited bonfires and burning yard debris. It allowed for contained campfires in specific areas, but most areas in the state (either county-wide or city-wide) had their own bans in high-risk wildfire areas.
According to a map from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), most of the state is at a “moderate” risk for wildfires. The only spots at low risk are mostly in the Central Cascades east of Olympia, up north to Canada.
Local restrictions may still apply for some burn bans. Make sure you’re checking with your area-specific fire department.
The burn bans and restrictions for King County and Seattle will lift on Oct. 1.
Learn more about burn bans here.