Grant County burning restrictions start June 1

EPHRATA — The Grant County Commissioners and Grant County Fire Marshal’s Office are reminding county residents that, per a county ordinance, outdoor burning will not be allowed June 1 through Sept. 30.

The ban relates to an ordinance that was passed in September 2017, which also implemented an automatic restriction on outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of Grant County June 1 through Sept. 30.

According to a news release, there is still some burning that will be allowed. Ag and orchard burning are allowed when permitted by the Department of Ecology. Recreational campfires are allowed, but they must be in an approved campfire device at public campgrounds and must be allowed by the governing campground authority.

For residences, recreational campfires in private fire pits are allowed if there is 25 feet of non-combustible space around the pit. County officials are reminding locals to have a charged water hose nearby in case of an emergency.

The Grant County Fire Marshal’s Office must be notified and a permit has to be obtained for large cooking fires for both private and public events.

“Remember that the use of burn barrels is always prohibited by law and when burning is allowed only natural vegetation may be burned (no household garbage),” reads the press release. “When the County burn ban is lifted on Sept. 30 burning restrictions that are normally in place and imposed by the Washington State Department of Ecology will still be in effect in regards to all cities and urban growth areas.”

For more information contact the commissioners’ office at 509-754-2011 ext. 2901 or the fire marshal’s office at 509-754-2011 ext. 3001 or visit the fire marshal’s web page at www.grantcountywa.gov.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at rbyrd@columbiabasinherald.com.