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Lincoln County Fire District 9 issued an immediate burning ban Monday and Grant County’s annual ban will start June 1.

That’s when District 9 also usually starts the no-burning season, but this year’s “just a little bit dryer,” said the district’s Ron Rosenberg.

Grant County passed an ordinance in 2017 on instituting its annual ban on fires within the unincorporated areas of the county.

Agricultural and orchard burning are allowed when permitted by the Department of Ecology. Recreational campfires are still allowed in approved devices at public campgrounds when allowed by the campground authority. Recreational campfires at residences in private fire pits as long as there is 25 feet of non-combustible space around the fire pit. You will need to have a charged water hose available just in case. Large cooking fires are allowed for events whether public or private and must be permitted through the Grant County Fire Marshal’s Office in advance. Gas barbecues and charcoal barbecues are allowed when used in a safe manner.

The use of burn barrels is always prohibited by law, and when burning is allowed only natural vegetation may be burned (no household garbage). When the county burn ban is lifted on Sept 30, burning restrictions that are normally in place and imposed by the Washington State Department of Ecology will still be in effect in regard to all cities and urban growth areas.