Tim Darland, Fire Chief
The Klickitat County Zone 2 burn ban (including High Prairie) has been lifted as of October 16, 2021. Please follow the outdoor burning requirements listed below. In the event the Fire Department gets called to an out of control burn pile, firefighters will be assessing the scene to ensure all outdoor burning requirements have been met. You may be responsible to pay costs if your burn pile is extinguished by the Fire Department.
If an outdoor fire started by you escapes, you may be responsible for paying costs associated with the extinguishment of that fire.
The Fire Department members and I thank you for adhering to the rules listed above.
Outdoor Burning Requirements:
- Fire size no larger than 10 foot diameter, only burn one pile at a time.
- Minimum five (5) gallons water, shovel, fire extinguisher and/or charged garden hose.
- Fire is built on bare soil.
- Debris that can be burned: natural wood products, non-treated lumber scraps, trimmings, clippings. and natural vegetation. (Citations are issued due to this violation in Klickitat Co.)
- Ditch and fence line burning can be done in 10’ X 10’ sections at a time with adequate water to put out area burned. The next 10’ X 10’ section can then be lit. Caution: Must have containment lines such as roads, driveways, plowed fields, or hand trails down to mineral soil.
- Burn Barrels are not approved. WAC 173-425. (Citations are issued due to this violation in Klickitat Co.)
- In the event of air inversions, it is recommended by DOE to monitor media coverage for our area. If an inversion occurs stop burning until DOE has lifted restrictions. (For more information, contact DOE 1-800-406-5322. Website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov)
- Agriculture burns must be approved by DOE by calling 1-509-575-2490.
- Minimum of 50 feet from any structure.
- Fire must be attended to at all times.
Please remember to get those chimneys cleaned and test your smoke detectors! Accomplishing these two tasks can help prevent loss of life and property. Stay safe, and thank you for doing your part in keeping our area a FireWise Community.