Justin de Ruyter, Spokane Fire PIO, jderuyter@spokanecity.org
Friday, June 28, 2024 at 2:50 p.m.
Spokane, WA June 28, 2024- Fire Danger Burn Restriction
Although we have seen unseasonably lower temperatures and more rain, the Spokane Metro Area is still at risk for fire this summer.
Fire Marshals from Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD), City of Spokane Fire Department (SFD), Spokane County, City of Cheney, City of Airway Heights, and City of Deer Park have all enacted the Fire Danger Burn Restriction effective at 0800 on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. With high temperatures in the forecast, all Cities and Fire Agencies want to keep area communities safe from fire risk by reducing the number of human-caused wildfires.
“To help protect our community from the risk of human-caused wildfires the regional Fire Marshals are enacting Countywide Burn Restrictions. Burn Restrictions are common during warm summer months, serving as additional protection from significant wildfire incidents for our homes and wildlands.” - Fire Marshal Lance Dahl- City of Spokane Fire Department
Unauthorized open burning and unauthorized recreational fires are restricted until this order is lifted or unless otherwise permitted by law enforcement or authorized agencies. If you have any questions, before lighting any fire, call your local agency first.
“This wildfire season, your Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind our citizens to remain vigilant while recreating outdoors. Warmer temperatures and drier conditions brought on by El Nino last fall and winter are expected to continue through the summer, making for extremely dangerous conditions throughout our region.” - Deputy Fire Marshal Ken Johnson – Spokane Valley Fire Department
We want to do our part to keep our air quality as smoke-free as possible. Breathing smoke affects the respiratory system and is especially harmful to everyone especially, younger, and elderly generations, and those with heart and respiratory conditions.
We encourage everyone to follow these easy guidelines and help prevent an unplanned fire from occurring. Keep our community fire and smoke risk-free this summer wildfire season:
Under the burn restrictions:
All recreational fires are not allowed. This includes any outdoor fire without a chimney such as a backyard fire pit or campfire using chopped firewood or charcoal.
All open burning is not allowed. This includes any open burning of fields and yard waste is prohibited at all times.
Manufactured portable outdoor devices are allowed. This includes fireplaces, chimineas, barbeques, and patio warmers used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Approved fuels in appropriate devices are allowed. This includes clean and dry seasoned firewood, charcoal, natural gas, and propane gas.
Designated campfires in parks and campgrounds may be allowed as approved and determined by agencies with jurisdiction.
While the burn restriction is in place, any person found with a recreational fire or conducting open burning who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such burning when ordered or notified to do so shall be charged with a misdemeanor. (IFC 109; SCC 3.02)
If you have questions regarding burn restrictions, here are some resources:
City of Spokane Fire Department (SFD)
Spokane Valley Fire Department
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
