OLYMPIA, Wash. – As residents dispose of leaves and other yard debris the Department of Ecology is issuing a reminder that burning waste in burn barrels is illegal statewide.
Fires in burn barrels don’t get much oxygen and release toxic smoke that stays low to the ground.
They’re also a wildfire risk.
Some burning of dry lawn and garden waste is allowed with restrictions outside of Urban Growth Areas, but only recreational fires are allowed within those boundaries.
Learn about those restrictions here.
Find out if you’re in a Whatcom County Urban Growth Area here.