★EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY - BURN BAN INFORMATION★
Effective June 1, 2025 – MODERATE FIRE DANGER LEVEL IN EFFECT. Outdoor burning restricted.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
621 Sheridan Street | Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-379-4461 | email: PCecere@co.jefferson.wa.us
http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us
For immediate release: 16 May 2025
The Jefferson County Fire Marshal and the Jefferson County Fire Chiefs are tasked with instilling
safeguards against hazards to life and safety from dangerous conditions associated with fire,
protecting residents, firefighters, emergency responders, community assets, and property. Jefferson
County Resolution No 21-23 institutes an automatic setting of MODERATE fire danger level July 1
September 30 every year. Due to current atmospheric and field conditions, this is being implemented
one month early for the 2025 season. County Fire Chiefs and the County Fire Marshal agree that
conditions warrant this danger level. Several factors are at play in this decision, including but not
limited to input received from DNR, ORCCA, NWS, and other state, federal, and local agencies.
During an observance of MODERATE FIRE HAZARD, all restrictions from lower levels are in effect
plus:
. Outdoor burning restricted. No person shall build, ignite, or maintain any outdoor fire of any
kind or character, or for any purpose whatsoever, except:
. Outdoor burning is allowed on private residential premises or designated campsites where
such fires are built. ignited, and maintained in a permanent barbecue, portable barbecue,
outdoor fireplace, or grill;
. Portable fireplaces, pits, and chimineas are approved where they are placed on non
combustible material, or all combustible material is removed to mineral soil with all combustible
material 1.5 feet around the portable fireplace, pit, or chiminea removed. Only natural wood
materials shall be burned within the portable fireplace, pit, or chiminea, and the fuel shall not
extend outside the portable fireplace, pit, or chiminea.
This fire danger risk level and restrictions are in effect until atmospheric and field conditions fall to an
acceptable level for a length of time to determine that the threat has lessened and that risk to
residents, property, and emergency responders has subsided to acceptable levels. The moderate
level is expected to last until at least September 30, 2025. The possible escalation of the fire danger
rating level will be periodically reassessed and further restrictions would be implemented.
In summary, recreational burning or "campfires" are allowed in a Moderate fire danger risk
level and all barbeque appliances are allowed. However, brush and debris "land clearing fires"
are restricted until a Low fire danger risk level is established.
Commissioner of Public Lands Burn Ban Info Click here to read.
Jefferson County Burn Ban pdf Click here to read.
Washington State Dept of Natural Resources Burn Ban Factsheet Click here to read...