With the recent rainfall and improvements in fuel moisture levels, the City of Bellingham is lifting the ban on recreational fires within city limits. Lifting of the recreational fire ban will take effect at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2017.
To be considered a legal recreational fire, the following guidelines must be met:
- The fire fuel must be seasoned firewood or charcoal only. Burning of garbage, yard debris or construction/demolition lumber and debris is prohibited.
- The fire’s total fuel area shall not exceed 3 feet in diameter and/or 2 feet in height.
- The fire must be attended at all times and fully extinguished before leaving it.
- Fires must be a minimum of 25 feet away from structures or combustible materials. Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be no closer than 15 feet of structures or combustible materials.
- Permission from the landowner, or owner’s designated representative, must be obtained prior to starting the recreational fire.
- An adequate means of extinguishing the recreational fire shall be immediately available. This could include a charged garden hose, one 4-A portable fire extinguisher, or two 5-gallon buckets of water.
If you have questions regarding outdoor fires within Bellingham city limits, please contact the Bellingham Fire Department Life Safety Division at (360) 778-8420. For unincorporated areas of Whatcom County, contact the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s outdoor burn information line at (360) 778-5903.
