Eastside's Seasonal Burn Moratorium Begins June 15

ISSAQUAH, WA — An annual moratorium on certain fires goes into effect June 15 for all communities under the jurisdiction of Eastside Fire & Rescue: Issaquah, Sammamish, North Bend, Carnation, Preston, May Valley, Tiger Mountain and Wilderness Rim.

The moratorium will be in place through the end of September and allows some burning to continue with a free permit. Other temporary restrictions may take effect throughout the season, due to air quality issues or enhanced fire safety risks.

"Our neighborhoods cover relatively mountainous terrain, urban in nature, with fences and yards," fire officials wrote Monday. "Many neighborhoods are built in the wooded hills and grasslands that surround our towns. Homes in areas surrounded by vegetation are very popular. These neighborhoods create what we term as the Wildland Urban Interface. Unseasonable warm weather is already upon us. This authorized seasonal burning moratorium is a precautionary measure to reduce fire danger."

Here are a few rules to keep in mind for the summer months:

Residential yard waste burning:

• Subject to Eastside Fire & Rescue moratorium & Puget Sound Clean Air Agency burn bans

Cooking and recreational fires

• Not subject to the seasonal burn ban, but free permits are required
• For wood-burning fires, only dry and seasoned wood is allowed
• Fires cannot be larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet tall
• Cooking fires and campfires need to be contained to barbecue pits, fire rings or other approved items.
• Propane, natural gas, pellet and charcoal fires do not need a permit
• Fires may be subject to temporary fire safety and air quality bans

Land-clearing burns

• Banned year-round in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties

Eastside residents can access burn permits online and get more answers about the annual burning moratorium by calling 425-313-3200.