Burn Permits

Current Burn Status in Kitsap County

Outdoor Burning in South Kitsap

Outdoor burning is regulated to protect our community and reduce wildfire risk. South Kitsap Fire and Rescue follows the rules set by the Kitsap County Fire Marshal, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) and Washington State law.

Burning natural vegetation from your property may be allowed outside urban growth areas and permanent burn zone areas. These type of fires require a burn permit issued by SKFR. Before you burn, it’s important to know what is allowed — and what requires a permit.

Get a Burn Permit Online

Types of Outdoor Burning

Recreational Fires — No Permit Needed

Recreational fires are defined as cooking fires, charcoal barbecues and campfires designated areas or on private property for cooking, or pleasure. Fires used for debris disposal purposes are not considered recreational fires (WAC 173-425-030). Recreational fires also include fires lit in chimineas, fire pits, fire bowls, and similar free-standing devices. Follow the manufactures instructions on safe use.

Recreational fires must:

Be in a designated fire pit or enclosure
Be no larger than 3 ft. x 3 ft. x 2 ft. high
Burn only clean dry seasoned wood
Be more than 25 feet away from a structure or other combustible materials or 15 feet with free-standing devices

Small Residential Outdoor Fire- Permit Required

Permit is required and valid through the last day of the calendar year.
Burn pile must be no larger than 4’L x 4’W x 3’H.
Burn pile must be at least 50 feet from any structure.
Permissible only outside “No Burn” zones.
No fire will be ignited before sunrise and no material will be added to the fire after sunset.
The fire may NOT contain materials hauled from another property.
Burn only natural vegetation such as leaves, clippings or prunings.
A responsible person capable of extinguishing the fire must attend it at all times.

Large Residential Outdoor Fire- Permit Required

Permit is required and is valid for 14 days after its activation date.
Burn pile must be no larger than 10’L x 10’W x 7’H.
Burn pile must be at least 50 feet from any structure.
No fire will be ignited before sunrise and no material will be added to the fire after sunset.
The fire may NOT contain materials hauled from another property.
Burn only natural vegetation such as leaves, clippings or prunings.
A responsible person capable of extinguishing the fire must attend it at all times.

Before You Burn

You are responsible for ensuring burning is allowed on the day you plan to burn. Conditions and burn ban statuse can change quickly.

Before lighting any fire:

Check for burn bans from Kitsap County or PSCAA; our SKFR website and burn ban phone line will have updated burn ban status’ – call (360) 871-2411
Review your permit requirements
Only burn natural vegetation from your property for small or large burn piles
Never leave a fire unattended
A person responsible capable of extinguishing the fire must attend it at all times.
A shovel and a garden hose connected to a water source and/or a bucket filled with at least 5 gallons of water must be on site.

Rules for All Outdoor Fires

If you have an alternative to burning available to you such as curb side service, chipping, or have a recycle center available near you for haul, you cannot burn.
Burning can only be done during daylight hours.
An outdoor fire may not be ignited and must be extinguished if an air quality or fire danger burn ban is declared that applies to the type of burning being conducted.
The fire must be extinguished immediately if: Any emission from the fire is detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of any person; if it causes damage to property or business; or if it causes a nuisance.
Permission from the landowner or owner’s designated representative must be obtained before igniting an outdoor fire.
Only one pile at a time may be burned and each pile must be extinguished before another is ignited.
This permit may be revoked at any time due to high winds or any other condition that constitutes a fire hazard.
No burn barrels are allowed.
No Land Clearing Burns.

Burning Regulation Flyer

Outdoor Burning Alternatives

When in Doubt, Ask

If you’re unsure whether you need a permit, have questions about burn restrictions, have issues obtaining a burn permit online, or need help checking if your address is in a permitted burn zone, our team is here to help – contact South Kitsap Fire and Rescue’s admin office by emailing info@skfr.org or by phone at (360) 871-2411.

Who to Contact

South Kitsap Fire and Rescue works closely with local and state partner agencies to ensure our community has accurate, up-to-date information about outdoor burning. Each organization plays a specific role in keeping South Kitsap safe. Use the guide below to contact the right agency for the support you need:

Call 911 for:

Uncontrolled fires – fires beyond the original borders or threatening to burn a structure.
Unsafe outdoor burning
Unattended outdoor fires

Contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) for:

Air Quality Burn Bans
Outdoor burning complaints
Air quality burn ban questions
Questions about the State’s Clean Air Laws

Contact Kitsap County Fire Marshall’s Office for:

Outdoor fire burn bans in Kitsap County
Fire inspections
Fire investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

Who creates the regulations for outdoor burning?

Outdoor burning regulations are administered by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and follow the state Clean Air Act (Chapter 173-425 WAC). The fire district does not set these regulations. Our responsibility begins with a permitting process for all outdoor burning.

Why am I not able to get a burn permit online?

This could happen for several reasons. If there is an active burn ban in place, you will not be able to apply for a burn permit online. If your residential address is located in a permanent burn ban zone, you will not be allowed to get a burn permit.

Note that permanent burn ban zones are subject to change at any time and are established by the PSCAA. If there are no burn bans in place and you believe your address location is in a permitted burning area, please contact our admin office for further assistance.

What materials am I allowed or not allowed to burn?

Outdoor burning must follow rules and regulations for recreational, small, and large residential outdoor fires. Rules and regulations must also be followed if we are under an active burn ban. You may only burn natural vegetation such as leaves, clippings, or prunings.

Burning of the following materials is prohibited:

Asphalt & petroleum products
Construction or demolition debris
Dead animals
Garbage
Paints
Paper products
Plastic products
Plywood & particle board
Processed wood products such as finished lumber
Stumps
Tires & rubber products

What can I burn during a Phase I and Phase II burn ban?

During a Phase I Burn Ban, only cooking fires and recreational fires in permissible areas are allowed. You are NOT allowed to do any agricultural burning, ceremonial fires, yard waste burning, debris burning or weed torching.

Under a Phase II Burn Ban, you may only use propane or liquid fueled grills, fire tables, fire pits, and self-contained wood pellet grills. You are NOT allowed to do any recreational firewood burning, agricultural burning, ceremonial fires, charcoal fires, yard waste burning, debris burning or weed torching.

What are alternatives to burning my yard waste?

CHIP IT — Use a chipper or shredder to convert branches, prunings and other yard waste to use as garden mulch or for composting
COMPOST — Break down your yard waste (leaves, grass, prunings) in a bin or a pile to make compost. Compost makes healthy food for your plants and yard.
CURBSIDE PICKUP — Recycle your yard waste with compost and yard waste curbside pickup service. Check with your local government or waste management company to see if this service is available your area at: www.kitsap.gov/pw/pages/wastecollection.aspx

YARD WASTE DROP-OFF — Recycle your yard waste at the landfill or a community drop-off location. Check with your local government or waste management company to see if this is available:

Can I use a burn barrel?

Burn barrels were made illegal in Washington State on April 2000 as a broader effort to control outdoor burning and reduce air pollution. Visit the Washington State Department of Ecology website to learn more.

BURN STATUS: No Burn Ban In Effect

South Kitsap Fire And Rescue