Outdoor Burning FAQs
BURN COMPLAINTS
If you need to report outdoor burning that presents an immediate hazard to people or property, or is creating a nuisance that requires a fire department response, call 9-1-1. This allows Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One to respond, assess the situation, provide education when appropriate, and refer violations to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for additional enforcement if necessary.
For non-emergency concerns, you may also report illegal burning, excessive smoke, or other air quality issues directly to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, the agency responsible for enforcing outdoor burning and clean air regulations.
To report an air quality complaint:
- Visit the Air Quality Complaint Center.
- Call the air quality complaint line at 1-800-552-3565. Select your preferred language, then choose extension 6 and leave a detailed message with your complaint information.
Annual no burn period for our jurisdiction: June 1st through September 30th. This is different than a burn ban. Burn bans can still be imposed at any time based on current conditions for air quality or safety reasons. This does not affect recreational fires.
According to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, residential fire permits are not issued to residents within city limits, non-attainment areas, or urban growth boundaries. For information on what types of burning are allowed in your area (such as recreational fires) and the rules governing them, please see our FAQ section.
View Map of Permanent No-Burn ZoneStrictly limited to yard and garden debris (natural vegetation only) that is generated on the property. This requires a permit.
Recreational Fires: Limited to ONLY burning dry, seasoned wood or charcoal briquettes.
It is always illegal to use a burn barrel.
It is always illegal to burn prohibited materials, including:
- Garbage or refuse
- Cardboard and paper
- Building materials (including paint, vinyl flooring, roofing, and scrap lumber)
- Rubber products, including tires
- Plastics or petroleum products
- Material that produces smoke that is offensive or harmful to your neighbors.
It is always illegal to smoke out your neighbor. The fire department may require your fire to be extinguished if the smoke emissions are offensive to occupants of surrounding properties or if the fire is determined to constitute a hazardous condition.
NOTICE: The fire department is required to report infractions to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in a civil penalty of up to $16,000 or more per day. Please burn responsibly.
HAUL IT
Rake up your excess material and haul it to your nearest Recycling/Transfer station. Also, check with your local waste disposal company for curbside yard waste recycling availability.
COMPOST IT
Composting yard and garden waste protect the air, land, and water resources while providing a rich garden fertilizer.
CHIP IT
Some residents are choosing to chip their debris. Chippers may be rented, or a chipping service hired to take care of your material. Wood chips make excellent mulch around trees and shrubs and can also be used to soften garden paths.
MULCH IT
By mulching, we can easily put nature’s recycling system to work in our own backyard. Spread yard and garden debris around shrubs, trees, and other plantings. Mulching keeps the soil loose and moist, smothers weeds, prevents soil loss, and releases nutrients as it decomposes.
No. Land-clearing burns are prohibited in our jurisdiction, and you cannot obtain a permit for one. With a valid yard debris burn permit, the largest fire you may have is 4 feet by 4 feet and limited to one pile on the property at a time. See the above FAQ on burning excess yard waste.
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency administers outdoor burning regulations and follows the Washington State Clean Air Act (Chapter 173-425 WAC). The fire district does not set these regulations but must enforce them. Our responsibility begins with a permitting process for all outdoor burning.