Wildfire Danger Level For:
September 17, 2021
High
What Does HIGH Mean?
- Fires start readily and spread quickly.
- Fires in forests can ignite small groups of trees (group torching) and spread for short distances in tree crowns (short crowning runs).
- Flames in the surface part of the fire can easily exceed 4 feet and may exceed 8 feet.
- Fires in dry grass spread very quickly with flames of 10 to 20 feet, especially where shrubs are also burning.
- Spotting is common and can occur some distance from the main fire.
- Unattended campfires are likely to escape a fire ring or fire pit and sparks are likely to start fires in dry grass and needles.
Annual Burn Ban
The Cowlitz County Burn Ban is in effect every year from July 15 through September 30. No burning is allowed during the ban, except for recreational fire pits. The Cowlitz County Fire Marshal may extend the ban depending on fire conditions. More information about regulations in Cowlitz County can be found here.
Recreational Fires
Recreational fires are legal in Cowlitz County as long as they follow the county guidelines:
- The landowner must give permission for the recreational fire.
- Fire is a maximum size of 3'x3'x2' and is in an improved pit lined with metal stone or masonry.
- Fire is at least 25 feet from combustible materials including structures and overhead fuels.
- Fire is burning clean, seasoned firewood or charcoal only: no brush or yard debris.
- Fire is supervised at all times by someone 16 years of age or older
- There are tools to extinguish the fire: a charged hoseline or a five-gallon bucket of water and a shovel.
- The fire does not create a smoke nuisance.
Burning Brush or Yard Debris?
Have brush or yard debris to burn? You need a permit. Here are the steps:
- Check your address to ensure you are allowed to burn (click here)
- Download and fill out a burn permit (click here)
- Keep the permit on-site at the location where you intend to burn.
- Ensure your burn pile is no bigger than 10' x 10'
- Burn piles larger than 10' x 10' must contact Washington State DNR or Southwest Clean Air Agency.