Eastside Fire Issues Burn Moratorium

ISSAQUAH, WA — Firefighters with Eastside Fire and Rescue have issued a burning moratorium banning fires on their lands, which include the towns of Sammamish and Issaquah.

The ban went into effect and will remain in place through September 30. Firefighters say they put the ban in place earlier than normal this year because the've seen fire seasons peaking sooner over the past few years, and they want to get ahead of any potential wildfires.

Here's how the ban works:

• Residential burning is banned on Eastside Fire and Rescue lands, as well as lands monitored by the Department of Natural Resources and Forest Service.
• Cooking fires or recreational campfires are not banned, but may require a burn permit.
  • Those fires can only use dry seasoned wood.
  • The fires must be smaller than three feet in diameter and two feet tall.
  • They also must be contained in a barbecue pit, fire ring or portable fireplace.

Residents can acquire a burn permit by visiting http://www.eastsidefire-rescue.org/. There is no fee required to obtain a permit. Permits are also not necessary for propane, natural gas, or charcoal cooking fires.

Firefighters warn that if the wildfire season gets worse, more bans could be put in place. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency can install county-wide fire bans if air quality dips, and the county Fire Marshal's Office may also impose a ban if fire danger rises.

Meanwhile, land clear burning remains permanently banned in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.