Pierce County's Burn Ban To Be Lifted Tuesday

PUYALLUP, WA — Pierce County will lift its burn ban on Tuesday, Sept. 21. According to the county, the heavy rains over the weekend have helped saturate the land and reduce the risk of wildfires. That, plus the forecast for future rain and cooler temperatures, has them hopeful that fire season has come to a close early this year.

Pierce County's announcement came the same day the Washington State Department of Resources lifted its burn ban for 12 million acres of DNR-managed public and private land across Washington state. Pierce County's ban was in effect for unincorporated Pierce County, meaning that some bans set by smaller jurisdictions within the county may still remain in place.

The ban, put in place before June's record-breaking heat wave, prohibited land clearing and yard debris outdoor burning, and required that recreational fires be kept small and in metal or concrete fire pits. Now that the ban has been lifted, those restrictions are gone. However, the county says that burning is still limited to natural vegetation from the burn site only: you can burn wood, but you can't burn garbage, paper or other trash.

If you have any questions or concerns about burns in your area, the county says to reach out to your local fire department, or to contact the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s office at 253-798-7179.