Burning restrictions have been extended

Okanogan County’s burning restrictions have been extended through Oct. 28, a notice from the county’s Emergency Management department said Monday.

Restrictions had been set to expire Oct. 15, but with no recent rain and none expected for two weeks, the county’s Fire Advisory Committee recommended restriction continue.

That means no field, pile, rubbish, slash, yard vegetation or non-emergent agricultural burning is allowed on unincorporated private lands within Okanogan County.

Recreational fires must be attended at all times and be contained in a concrete, rock, or steel ring (made from non-combustible material), no larger than 3 feet in diameter and no less than 8 inches in height. The flames can’t be higher than 2 feet and must not within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material.

This restriction does not apply to areas within city limits, silvicultural burning on lands, regulated solely by DNR’s outdoor burning rules and regulations, fire in DNR recreation sites and campgrounds, or on U.S. Forest Service protected lands and within the Colville Reservation.

But DNR, the Forest Service and Colville Tribes may have similar burn restrictions or bans in effect.  Some private parcels may also have DNR restrictions if it includes a DNR Fire Tax Assessment. This can be found on County Tax Statements.