Burn ban in place

A burn ban for unincorporated Pierce County is effective until further notice.

The Pierce County Fire Marshal, in partnership with the Pierce County Fire Chiefs’ Association, has declared the burn ban. This is due to the expectation of warmer, drier days becoming more common and resulting in fires starting more easily and posing a greater threat to people and property.

The burn ban applies to all land clearing and outdoor burning of yard debris in unincorporated Pierce County. This ban does not apply to small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved campgrounds or private property with the owner’s permission. The use of gas, propane, charcoal or pellet self-contained stoves, smokers and barbecues are allowed.

Recreational fires must: 

• Be built in a metal or concrete fire pit, such as those typically found in designated campgrounds; and not used as debris disposal.

• Grow no larger than three feet in diameter.

• Be in a clear spot free from any vegetation for at least ten feet in a horizontal direction, including at least 25 feet away from any structure and allow 20-foot vertical clearance from overhanging branches.

• Be always attended by an alert individual and equipment capable of extinguishing the fire like hand tools and a garden hose attached to a water faucet that is on, or not less than two, five-gallon buckets of water.

• No burning when winds exceed 5 mph.

• This ban only applies to residents in unincorporated Pierce County. For residents of incorporated Pierce County cities and towns, please contact your local jurisdiction for requirements. 

This ban does not apply to setting off legal fireworks in unincorporated Pierce County during the allowed discharge times. Please see the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau’s website for additional information at www.piercecountywa.gov/fpb.

The burn ban in 2023 was declared June 6 and ended Oct. 3.

If you have an approved Department of Natural Resources (DNR) burn permit and/or your property falls under the jurisdiction of the DNR, you are advised to call 1-800-323-BURN for more information.