A statewide burning ban remains in effect throughout Washington through Sept. 30, 2026, following a Governor's Emergency Proclamation, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology. The restriction comes amid ongoing efforts to manage wildfire risks, including a 2021 prescribed fire training event in Roslyn involving U.S. Representative Kim Schrier.
Statewide Burning Restrictions
The burning ban, issued by the Governor, limits outdoor, residential, agricultural, and forest burning to protect residents and property when wildfire danger is high. The Washington State Department of Ecology noted that air quality burn bans are also called by local clean air agencies and Tribes when air becomes unhealthy.
While the current ban is a response to emergency conditions, officials have long advocated for the use of controlled burns to prevent more catastrophic scenarios. On Oct. 6, 2021, U.S. Representative Kim Schrier joined wildland firefighters in the Roslyn Urban Forest to participate in a prescribed fire event. During that event, Schrier donned firefighting gear and used a drip torch to help crews create what officials call "good fire."
Mitigating Wildfire Risks
The 2021 training event in Roslyn was part of a Prescribed Fire Training Exchange organized by the Washington Prescribed Fire Council. The crew involved in that training included personnel from several agencies: the Roslyn Fire Department, Kittitas County Fire District 1, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue, Kittitas County Fire District 7, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the University of Washington/Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory, and The Nature Conservancy.
Representative Schrier, who has been a vocal advocate for increased funding for prescribed fire, noted that participating in such events provides a better understanding of the barriers firefighters face. During the 2021 event, Schrier emphasized that prescribed burns emit only one-fifth of the smoke produced by wildfires and serve to reduce the dry wood that fuels catastrophic fires.
The Challenge of Fuel Backlogs
The necessity for controlled burns is underscored by data from the Forest Service, which determined in 2018 that 234 million acres of forest are at high risk of dangerous wildfires. Despite this risk, the Forest Service only treated 3 million acres annually during the last decade. Because vegetation grows continuously, officials warned that the current pace of treatment is insufficient to address the hazardous fuels backlog.
Schrier has previously introduced the National Prescribed Fire Act to increase funding for groups like the training exchange in Roslyn, which allows for burns to be conducted during the off-season. She has argued that the choice is between managing smoke in a small, controlled, and planned fashion or dealing with the heavy smoke resulting from catastrophic summer wildfires.
Public Health and Air Quality
The Washington State Department of Ecology manages air pollution by issuing agricultural burning permits, setting wood stove standards, and calling for burn bans. The agency works alongside the EPA and local clean air agencies to develop regulations and guidelines intended to protect public health.
According to the Department of Ecology, smoke from burning leaves, tree debris, grass, and brush can cause serious health problems similar to cigarette smoke. These include asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and lung cancer. The agency noted that children, individuals aged 65 and older, pregnant people, and those with existing breathing problems are at the highest risk from unhealthy air.
Safety and Prevention
To manage local risks, the Washington State Department of Ecology advises residents to check for local burn bans and current air quality conditions before burning. Fire safety burn bans are specifically called by the Washington Department of Natural Resources, local fire districts, local conservation districts, and Tribes to protect people and property during high wildfire danger.
For residents looking to reduce the impact of smoke, the Department of Ecology suggests that a low-cost, effective air cleaner can be made using a simple fan-filter combination. This device can reduce tiny, harmful particles from wildfire smoke, wood smoke, dust, vehicle exhaust, and pesticide spray in small rooms when windows and doors are closed.
