Wildfire smoke from British Columbia is expected to impact NW Washington residents this week as a moderate heat advisory comes into effect across the region.
Skagit and San Juan counties are under a Stage 1 burn ban, and last week Whatcom County entered Stage 2. But seeing the first “burn ban in effect” sign often sparks a question: What’s actually banned?
It turns out, a Stage 1 burn ban doesn’t mean no s’mores. Even after the Washington state Department of Ecology declared a drought this year, local officials are still allowing small recreational fires in some areas this summer, though Bailey Hawkins, Whatcom County fire inspector, said there’s still plenty of danger.
“Every year we get plenty of fires. So, we know it’s going to be bad. As far as beyond that, it’s really hard to say,” Hawkins said.
Seasonal fires mean seasonal bans, though the exact timeline can vary based on weather conditions. In Whatcom County, for instance, summer burn bans were lifted on Oct. 4 in 2025, Sept. 14 in 2024, and Sept. 27 in 2023. As dry conditions threaten suburban neighborhoods, rural communities and coastal areas alike, navigating the rules, risks and best practices is important.
According to Hawkins, the biggest mistake people make is not putting their fires completely out.
“They don’t see any more flames, the thing goes out and then they leave, and it sparks back up and starts a fire,” he said.
In Skagit and San Juan counties, fires must be recreational. Residents can’t burn debris or garbage or clear land. Fires must be within a 3-foot ring made of cement, steel or stone, and only seasoned firewood or charcoal is allowed. Most counties also limit the height of the fire to 14 or 16 inches.
There are three stages to a burn ban. Stage 1 is “just no land clearing, (you) can’t burn yard waste, anything like that,” Hawkins said. Stage 2 is “no fires at all. You can still have propane barbecues, stuff like that, but it’s no campfires.” Stage 3, which as Hawkins said, hasn’t been seen in several years, would mean no open flames at all. Stage 1 can be temporarily superseded by a “Red Flag Warning” which is issued by the National Weather Service and follows Stage 2 guidelines.
Each county has some unique rules for recreational fires:
Skagit County requires that fires must be monitored by someone 16 or older. The heights of fires in Skagit County are also limited to14 inches.
In San Juan County, fires must be built on bare solid ground, gravel or in a dedicated fire bowl.
Currently, Whatcom County does not allow recreational fires.
Sparks and smoke
While campfires often get the most attention, dry conditions mean everyday tools and experiences pose risks. According to Hawkins, simply parking a car in tall dry grass can start fires. Burning debris, discarded cigarettes and even tools like mowers and chainsaws can create sparks. He recommends following local regulations and having a fire extinguisher and plenty of accessible water when working or playing in dry conditions.
Hawkins urges folks to call 911 for unattended or improperly managed fires. But local sparks are only half the battle. As many Pacific Northwesterners have come to experience, wind often carries wildfire smoke from miles away.
The Washington state Department of Natural Resources tracks wildfires, and data about wildfire smoke is available through AirNow. Forecasted smoke information is available from Ecology’s Washington Air Quality Map.
Wildfire smoke can be dangerous for everyone. To prepare, the Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services suggests that people create a Smoke Plan and check with the Northwest Clean Air Agency and the Washington State Smoke Blog for up-to-date information. Health and Community Services also suggests staying indoors as much as possible and to keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows. Using commercial or homemade air filters can help to mitigate smoke as well.
If it’s too hot to stay inside, Health and Community Services suggests going to a place with AC, like a mall, the library or movie theater.
For those planning trips into Washington’s state parks or national forests later this season, a major regulatory shift is on the horizon. Beginning Aug. 18, new laws go into effect that prohibit the transport of untreated firewood into Washington to prevent the spread of pests and pathogens on firewood. The rule aims to halt the spread of destructive invasive pests like the emerald ash borer and spongy moth which hitchhike invisibly on firewood, spreading far faster than they would naturally. Violators face steep civil penalties of up to $5,000. If traveling, remember to Buy It Where You Burn It to help save Washington’s forests and agriculture.
Rules for Skagit and San Juan counties
Enclosure Size:
· Skagit County: 14 inches tall, no wider than 3 feet and constructed of cement, stone or steel thicker than 3 mm.
· San Juan County: No wider than 3 feet, built on bare solid ground, gravel or in a fire bowl.
Fire Size:
· Skagit County: 14 inches tall, no wider
· San Juan County: Less than 3 feet tall
Distance from Structures:
· Skagit County: Portable fire pits must be at least 15 feet away from structures or combustible materials, and recreational fires must be 25 feet away from combustibles, trees or overhanging tree branches.
· San Juan County: Keep fires well away from structures.
Age Limits and Monitoring:
· Skagit County: Someone 16 or older must be present to monitor.
· San Juan County: Put fires dead out before leaving unattended.
Special Notes:
· Skagit County: No trash, lumber or building debris.
—By Alex Meacham