County-Wide Burn Ban is Currently:

-- OFF --

EFFECTIVE AT 4:00 PM FEBRUARY 6, AIR QUALITY BURN BAN LIFTED FOR PIERCE COUNTY

Burning is allowed by permit only. Permits are issued at Stations 21-1, 21-4 and 21-6. The applicant must present a valid photo identification. If the applicant is not the property owner (ie, a renter or a designee on behalf of the owner), they must also present a Owner's Letter of Authorization. Click here to download the Letter of Authorization, which can be printed and filled out ahead of time. Otherwise, you can visit Station 21-1, 21-4 or 21-6 and ask for a Letter of Authorization. Burn permits are valid for one (1) year from the date of issue and are no longer extendable. Upon expiration, the permit holder or designee must visit one of the above stations to be issued a new permit.

We appreciate the public's cooperation with burn bans, and encourage people to check current air quality conditions and air quality forecasts at Pierce County Clean Air. Conditions can change quickly this time of year.

Please feel free to visit a Graham Fire station or call with any questions. Click here for contact information.

Land Clearing Burning Illegal as of July 1, 2008

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) has ruled that outdoor land-clearing burning will be prohibited as of July 1, 2008, in Pierce County. Due to this ruling, Graham Fire & Rescue will no longer issue burn permits for this type of burning within our jurisdiction as of July 1, 2008.

Land-clearing burning is done with clearing property of trees and natural vegetation that is indigenous to the site for purposes of building a structure, house or even a development. The PSCAA has determined that "sufficient alternative methods" are now in place in our area to permit disposal of vegetation and trees by other means, such as chipping or transport to solid waste disposal facilities.

Beginning July 1st, 2008, land clearing burning becomes illegal. This means that if the fire department responds to these types of fires, the property owner is considered responsible and will be subject to citation that may cost them up to $16,000 per day, per event by the PSCAA.

If you would like to learn more about these new regulations and about the alternative disposal methods, please visit Pierce County's Public Works and Utilities page by clicking here. Contractors who are trying to determine what they are responsible for and how to be in compliance can visit Puget Sound Clean Air for additional information.

Residential outdoor burning in the designated burn areas of Graham will remain legal for the foreseeable future. This type of burning is done by residents who have sufficient clear property to burn legally. Residential burn permits are issued at no charge by the fire department. Residents can burn natural vegetation that comes from their property, such as branches, leaves, clippings, etc. The burn pile may not be any larger than four (4) feet in diameter and must have a minimum of thirty (30) feet of clearance from all other combustibles, including but not limited to: structures, fences, decks, etc. Residents are also responsible for directly attending the fire while flames are visible. Violation of these rules is subject to fines from the PSCAA.

Your Fire Department, following the state regulations, may be able to issue you a burn permit for outdoor burning in some areas. Other areas have PERMANENT outdoor burn bans imposed by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

When the burn ban is OFF, outdoor burning is only allowed south and east of the red line on the map to the left (click the map to view larger image):

LINKS
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Residential Outdoor Burning
Recreational Burning