Island County Public Health issues Burn Permits to the residents of Island County.   When a Burn Ban is not in effect, permits can be obtained at the Public Health Department in Coupeville, (360)679-7350.  Permanent burn ban areas (except small recreational fires) includes Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Freeland, and Langley.   

 

Land Clearing Burning: (Permit Required)

Permits can be obtained Monday through Friday (8:00am - 3:00pm) at the Public Health Department in Coupeville or Camano Island.  Before a permit is issued, a site inspection by Island County staff is required. Inspections will occur approximately two business days after an application is filed with the Public Health Department. The following conditions need to be met for Land Clearing Burning:

• Pile size must not exceed 25 feet in diameter x 25 feet high.

• A fan must be used to start the fire and assist in burning.

• A shovel and rake must be on site.

• A 350-gallon water source with a pump and enough 11⁄2" hose to reach the entire fire must be on site.

• One person age 16 or older who is capable of putting the fire out must be in attendance at all times and must have a method to call 911 if needed.

• The fire must be 50 feet away from any structure, standing timber or power lines.

• All fires must be contained within a firebreak (bare ground). The firebreak must equal the size of the pile.

• Only one pile may be burned at a time unless permitted otherwise.

• Do not burn during periods of air stagnation.

• The landowner’s permission must be obtained if the fire is not on your property.

• An excavator with an operator must be on site at all times during the burn

 

Residential Burning: (Permit Required)

Permit Fees: $40 for a 3-day permit. The following conditions must be met:

• Fires must not exceed 10 feet in diameter X 10 feet high.

• A shovel or rake must be on site.

• For piles over 10 feet x 10 feet—a land clearing permit is required.

• Water must be on site:

• Fires less than 4 feet must have a charged garden hose capable of reaching the fire or 10 gallons of water and a bucket.

• Fires 4–10 feet must have a charged garden hose or a 55–gallon water source with a pump and enough hose capable of reaching the fire.

• One person age 16 or older who is capable of putting the fire out must be in attendance at all times and must have a method to call 911 if needed.

• Only one pile may be burned at a time, and each pile must be extinguished before lighting another.

• Do not burn during periods of air stagnation.

• All fires must be contained within a firebreak (bare ground).

• The firebreak must equal the size of the pile.

• The fire must be 50 feet from any structure, standing timber or power lines.

• The landowner’s permission must be obtained if not on your property. ​​​

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Recreational Burning​:

• Recreational fires 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high or smaller do not need a permit if all the conditions below are met (unless there are additional restrictions in your area).

• Recreational fires consist only of charcoal or firewood and are used for cooking or pleasure.

• The fire is in an enclosure no larger than 3 feet across. The enclosure must be a minimum of 16 inches high and made of cement block, stones or #10 gauge steel.

• Materials being burned must be kept lower than the sidewalls of the enclosure.

• A charged garden hose or 2 five-gallon buckets of water must be on site.

• A shovel or rake must be on site.

• The fire must be 25 feet from any standing timber, structures, or power lines.

• Tree branches must be cleared to the height of 15 feet above the enclosure.

• One person age 16 or older who is capable of putting the fire out must be in attendance at all times.

• The fire must be contained within a firebreak (bare ground) and must equal the size of the fire.

• The landowner’s permission must be obtained if not on your property. ​

  

Small Residential Burning: (no-cost)

For residential fires smaller then 4' x 4', call​ the Information Hotline at (360) 240-5526 to listen to required​ conditions.  This is considered a verbal permit.

 

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