DOE Issues Stage 1 Burn Ban

Ban in effect November 4 until further notice

information released

The Washington Department of Ecology has issued a Stage 1 – Air Quality Burn Ban in Chelan and Douglas Counties as well as parts of Okanogan County.

A Stage 1 Burn Ban prohibits the use of uncertified wood stoves or fireplaces (except when a wood stove is the only source of heat) and permits no outdoor, agricultural or forest burning.

Details are below:

• Burn ban area: Chelan County and the Okanogan River Valley sub-county area in Okanogan County from Oroville to Brewster
• Burn ban starts: Now, November 4th, 2026
• Burn ban ends: Until further notice; conditions will be checked daily.
• Ban condition: Stage 1 – no outdoor burning, agricultural burning, or uncertified wood stove use, except when wood stove is the only source of heat.
• Background:Stagnant conditions have pushed 24-hour smoke levels above the burn ban trigger at Wenatchee and Omak. A breezier system is expected to arrive around Thursday afternoon and improve air quality.
• More information about Ecology burn bans: https://www.ecology.wa.gov/burnbans