EVERETT — A burn ban is set to take effect in unincorporated parts of Snohomish County starting at 8 a.m. Monday, the county fire marshal said.
Fire marshal Mike McCrary cited hot, dry weather and an increased fire danger as the reason for the restriction.
The start date was set for next week based on the science of fuel-moisture levels, said Terri Irwin, a county permit assistance coordinator.
“We aren’t in a real critical spot right at the moment,” Irwin said.
That’s expected to change with the balmy conditions forecast over the next several days.
The ban prohibits outdoor burning, except for small recreational fires. It will stay in effect until the county lifts it, after enough rain falls to lower the fire risk.
Fires are considered recreational if they’re for cooking or enjoyment and measure less than 3 feet wide and 2 feet high. Recreational fires must be contained within a pit that has been cleared of all combustible materials within a 10-foot radius. They must be monitored at all times with a water source nearby, such as a garden hose or 5-gallon bucket of water.
All outdoor burn permits, including those issued by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for agricultural burning, are suspended during the ban.
People who live within the limits of an incorporated city should check with the local fire department for information on bans in their area.
While small recreational fires will be allowed, county officials ask that people exercise caution. Contact the county’s Outdoor Burning Information Hotline at 425-388-3508 for updates.
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