The communities within Eastside Fire & Rescue (EF&R) — serving Issaquah, North Bend, Sammamish, Fire Districts 38 and 10, including Carnation — cover relatively mountainous terrain, urban in nature, with fences and yards. Many neighborhoods are built in the wooded hills and grasslands that surround the towns. Homes in areas surrounded by vegetation are popular. The neighborhoods create what EF&R refers to as “the wildland urban interface.”
The King County Fire Marshal’s Office is currently tracking fuel loads and drought conditions, as wildfire season approaches. As in the past two summers, conditions may be peaking sooner than historical averages.
Eastside Fire & Rescue (EF&R) begins its annual burning moratorium on June 15. Anyone living within the boundaries of EF&R should know the ban guidelines:
Cooking and recreational
“Permit required” (No-fee permit)
■ Not subject to the seasonal burn ban moratorium.
■ Cooking and recreational fires burning wood shall use only dry seasoned wood.
■ Propane, natural gas and charcoal fires do not require a burn permit.
■ Cooking and recreational fires shall not be larger than 3’ in diameter and 2’ in height.
■ A recreational fire is the same as a cooking fire, but without the food.
■ Fires (with or without food) shall be contained in a barbecue pit, fire ring or other approved appliances such as manufactured portable fireplace units, available at retailers around the region.
■ Any fire using wood is subject to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency burn ban.
Land clear burning
■ Land clear burning has been permanently banned within King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties.
Residential burning
“Permit required” (No-fee permit)
■ Subject to EF&R burn ban moratorium June 15th through September 30th each year.
■ DNR or Forest Service property. (EF&R does not issue permits in these areas.)
■ Subject to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency burn ban.
Seasonal burning moratorium facts
■ Outdoor cooking or recreational burning (campfires) require a no-fee burn permit available online at www.eastsidefire-rescue.org.
■ Puget Sound Clean Air Agency may impose a countywide burn ban for air-quality conditions.
■ King County Fire Marshal’s Office may impose a burn ban due to extreme fire danger.
■ Brush fires significantly increase during the summer months and can grow quickly.
■ Protect homes against wildfires by building a defensible space around the home. Learn more online at www.firewise.org or www.eastsidefire-rescue.org.
For burn ban information, contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at 800-595-4341 or go online to www.pscleanair.org.
For questions on Eastside Fire & Rescue’s annual moratorium call 425-313-3200.
