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1. Who do I call for a hostile fire that is endangering life or property?

Call 911, and the Fire District will respond.

2. What kind of outdoor fires are legal?

Recreational Fires

Fires no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet by 2 feet in size do not require a permit. By definition, recreational fires are cooking fires, campfires, and bonfires using charcoal or firewood that occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure, or ceremonial purposes. Fires used for the purpose of debris disposal are not considered recreational fires.

Fires with a Valid Burn Permit

Fires outside the City’s Urban Growth Area (PDF), may qualify for a residential burn permit to burn a burn pile no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet by 3 feet. Residential burning means the outdoor burning of leaves, clippings, pruning waste, and other yard and gardening refuse originating on lands immediately adjacent and in close proximity to a human dwelling and burned on such lands by the property owner or his or her designee.

3. How do I get a burn permit?

It is illegal to burn without a permit in Snohomish County outside of a recreational food fire. To obtain a residential or land clearing permit, contact the Office of the Snohomish County Fire Marshal at 425-388-3557.

4. How do I know if there is a burn ban?

Contact the Office of the Snohomish County Fire Marshal at 425-388-3508 to listen to their automated burn ban information line. There is also a link on the Snohomish County Fire District 5 website.

5. What kind of fire is illegal?

Illegal fires include:

• Fires other than recreational food fires located inside the Urban Growth Area (PDF)
• Fires where there is no valid permit to burn
• Fires containing garbage, processed wood products, construction materials, or burn barrels are all illegal fires (permits are only issued for the burning of natural vegetation)

6. Who is the enforcement agency for illegal fires?

The enforcement agency for an illegal fire that affects clean air quality is the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The enforcement agency for fires during a burn ban for fire danger is the Office of the Snohomish County Fire Marshal.

7. Who do I call for an illegal fire that affects air quality?

Do not call 911. Call Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at 800-552-3565 or 206-343-8800 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

8. Who do I call for an illegal fire inside the Urban Growth Area?

Do not call 911. Call Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at 800-552-3565 or 206-343-8800 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

9. Who do I call for a fire that is not permitted?

Do not call 911. Call Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at 800-552-3565 or 206-343-8800 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also call the Office of the Snohomish County Fire Marshal at 425-388-3557.

10. Where can I go for further information concerning outdoor burning in Snohomish County?

For more information about outdoor burning, please visit the Snohomish County website's Outdoor Burning page.