Outdoor, open burning restrictions remain in place
information released by Chelan County
Beginning Friday, September 15, fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County will be lowered to a Stage 1.
Stage 1 restrictions mean homeowners can have residential campfires in a designated campfire area, such as a portable fire pit. However, the outdoor, open burning of grass, leaves, brush and other natural materials remains prohibited until at least Oct. 1.
Chelan County Fire Marshal Stephen Rinaldi reminds the public that the fire danger rating, which is an indicator of how fire-prone an area is, remains at very high in the county’s Valley Zone areas and high in the Mountain Zone.
“If you are going to have a campfire, continue to use caution,” Rinaldi said. “The fuel load, or the amount of dry, combustible material around us, is still very high. We are not out of fire season yet.”
Stay 1 restrictions are defined on the county’s website at www.co.chelan.wa.us/news/article/current-fire-hazard-designation-and-restrictions. Stage 1 restrictions also include:
- The use of exploding targets and incendiary ammunition is prohibited.
- Motorists cannot drive off a county roadway, except to access open public lands.
- Fires are allowed in commercial barbecues and camp stores.
- Fireworks are prohibited in Chelan County.
