OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Fire Marshal, in consultation with the County Manager, and in alignment with Washington State Department of Natural Resources, has determined current weather conditions within the county have met the fire danger level necessary to enact restrictions on outdoor burning to all lands regulated by Thurston County, including no longer allowing recreational fires.

The Fire Safety Burn Ban applies to residential yard waste burning, all land clearing burns, and recreational fires, including those in approved fire pits in parks or campgrounds, outdoor fireplaces and similar appliances, and the use of charcoal or charcoal briquettes, unless the use involves a barbeque or other appliances specific for the purpose and occurs over a non-combustible surface like concrete or brick. The restrictions on outdoor burning during the summer have resulted in a significant drop in brush fires and property damage each of the past several years, according to fire officials.

This heightened Thurston County Fire Safety Burn Ban is effective as of 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 19, 2023, and ending if/when sustained weather conditions permit.

To stay up-to-date on the status of burn bans, please visit the ORCAA website at www.orcaa.org or the WA Department of Natural Resources burn portal at https://burnportal.dnr.wa.gov/