Outdoor Burning

The applicable open burning regulations depend upon where the property is located with respect to the “Urban Growth Area”, or UGA. The urban growth area (UGA) is defined by a line that the incorporated cities (Richland, Kennewick, West Richland, Benton City, and Prosser) expect to grow into during the next 20 years. The UGA includes all the city limits, the “islands” of County within the cities, and some parts of County land immediately adjacent to the city limits. Those properties that lie inside of this boundary have different burning rules than those properties lying outside the boundary. If you are unsure as to whether you are inside or outside the UGA, you can search your address on the burn decision page.

This information applies only to residents that live outside of the urban growth area. If you are inside the city limits of Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Benton City, or Prosser you are never allowed to burn yard debris at your residence. Also please note, that just because your property is outside of city limits, does not mean that you are also outside the urban growth area.

Search if your address is within an urban growth area by checking our Burn Decision Map. You may also call the Benton County Planning Dept. or Benton Clean Air Agency for help determining whether you are inside or outside the urban growth area.

The burn decision is made every morning prior to 9:00 am and is based on that day’s forecasted meteorological conditions.  When making the burn decision, the BCAA utilizes information from the National Weather Service and a modeling forecast produced by the University of WA, in cooperation with the Dept of Ecology. This modeling forecast is called the “WRF” and gives a projected forecast of the atmospheric dispersion conditions, throughout the state, at different times throughout the day.

When the surface wind speeds from the National Weather Service office in Pendleton, OR for the Columbia Basin are forecast to exceed 20 mph, residential burning will not be allowed. For forecasted surface wind speeds between 15 and 20 mph, a wind warning is issued.

The residential burn decision is based on the same information used to make the agricultural burn decision. However, in consideration for fire safety and at the request of our local fire departments, wind speed is taken into consideration. When the surface wind speeds from the National Weather Service office in Pendleton, OR for the Columbia Basin are forecast to exceed 20 mph, residential burning will not be allowed. For forecasted surface wind speeds between 15 and 20 mph, a wind warning is issued.

For outdoor burning, the Benton Clean Air Agency allows burning generally only when dispersion conditions are forecasted to be good.

Bright sunny days are frequently not good smoke dispersion days and are characterized by high pressure systems. The latter characteristically has descending air masses, low mixing level ceilings, and little horizontal air movement. Known in meteorology as stable air masses, all the factors associated with these air masses combine to limit both the volume and vertical mixing of near-surface air. Air pollutants emitted into the air under these conditions from any source, one of which may be outdoor burning, are effectively trapped and do not disperse by vertical mixing and horizontal transport at higher altitudes.

In contrast, low pressure weather systems are characterized by unstable air that is rising and frequently turbulent. Both vertical mixing with high elevation mixing levels and horizontal air movement very effectively dilute and disperse air pollutants emitted into the air.

Unfortunately, these meteorologically unstable air masses frequently have high wind speeds and gusty wind plus precipitation. High gusty wind conditions pose a fire safety hazard.

Recreational fires include camp and cooking fires, backyard barbecues, chimneas and other patio warmers that burn charcoal, natural firewood, or manufactured logs and pellets. The fires are limited to private property and designated areas on public lands when restrictions are not in place.

It is important to follow these requirements whenever you have a recreational fire:

Keep it small, not tall. Fires must not exceed 3′ x 2′

Fuel it right. Use only approved fuels: charcoal, natural gas, propane, manufactured logs/pellets, firewood. Firewood must be dry, clean and natural (untreated). The fire cannot be used for disposal of anything, including paper, natural vegetation, etc.

Stay clear of structures. Outdoor wood-fueled recreational fires must be a minimum of 50′ away from any combustibles and structures. 

Stand guard and extinguish. A person capable of extinguishing the fire must attend it at all times. Completely extinguish the fire before leaving it.

Ask first. Permission from a landowner (or owner’s designated representative) must be obtained before having a recreational fire. The fire may not cause a smoke and/or odor nuisance to neighbors. Check for other rules that may apply to your use of a recreational fire, such as homeowner association covenants, rental agreements, etc.

Mind the ban. Outdoor wood burning is restricted during periods of poor air quality or fire danger conditions. Air quality agencies issue restrictions based on air quality concerns. Fire officials may restrict outdoor burning based on fire danger conditions (typically summer into fall). Always check current burning conditions or call: 509-783-6198..Be a good neighbor. It is never okay to smoke out your neighbors. If smoke from your recreational fire bothers your neighbors, poses a threat or causes damage to their property or otherwise causes a nuisance, you must put it out immediately. For these reasons, you may wish to consider purchasing gas or electric devices versus wood burning units, especially if you live in close proximity to neighbors.

• Burning yard debris (leaves, branches, etc.) at your property
• Transferring material from Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Prosser, or Benton City to outside the UGA for the purpose of burning the material
• The use of burn barrels
• Burning for land-clearing purposes
• Burning tumbleweeds that are growing on your property
• Burning garbage, dead animals, asphalt, petroleum products, paints, rubber products, plastics, paper (other than what is necessary to start the fire), cardboard, treated wood, construction debris, metal, or any substance (other than natural vegetation) which when burned releases toxic emissions, dense smoke, or odors.” (WAC 173-425-050(2))

A few ways you can burn without a permit include:

• Burning a recreational fire that is less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet tall
• Burning tumbleweeds that blew onto your property

To have a recreational fire greater than 3 feet in diameter, a special burn permit must be obtained first. 

A special burn permit can be applied for as long as you live outside the Urban Growth Area.  The permit has an associated fee that is assessed in two parts. First, there is a $75 non-refundable application fee that must accompany the written application. This allows the BCAA Inspector to process the application and if necessary, inspect the materials to be burned prior to burning. The application can either be accepted or rejected at this point. If accepted, there is an additional charge of no more than $8.50 per cubic yard of material to be burned. The fees must be paid within 30 days of the permit being issued. A permit is issued that is specific to the applicant’s type of burning. The permit conditions often will allow more “burn days” than would be available under the spring and fall burn windows.

A special burning permit will not be required by fire protection districts for firefighting instruction fires for training to fight:

• Structural fires by fire protection districts outside the UGAs provided that the Agency Form Fire Training Notification Outside Urban Growth Areas is submitted and approved prior to conducting the training fire as provided in RCW 52.12.150
• Aircraft crash rescue fires as provided in RCW 70A.15.5180(2)
• Forest fires as provided in RCW 70A.15.5180(4). 

If tumbleweeds are actually growing on your property, you must obtain a special burn permit in order to burn the tumbleweeds in-place. Be aware that there is a fee charged for a special burn permit. You may want to consider an alternative to burning such as mulching, mowing, or composting. However, you may also want to try to control the weeds before they become a problem by mowing or using a commercial herbicide.

Tumbleweeds that have been blown on to your property can be burned at any time, regardless of the burn day and regardless of whether you are inside or outside the Urban Growth Area (UGA). However, only the tumbleweeds can be burned, any other vegetative material to be burned is subject to the rules specific to your location.

State law views residential burning and agricultural burning as two separate issues, both with associated laws. In order to qualify an agricultural burn permit you must show evidence of agricultural activity taking place, usually in the form of supplying a copy of the IRS form Schedule F: Profit and Loss from Farming. Only those operations with proof of an agricultural operation will be issued an agricultural burn permit. The zoning regulations are local regulations and do not apply to burning applications. Areas which are zoned agriculture, but do not supply this proof, must comply with the general rule burn rules and the “burn days”.

The Boy Scouts of America recommend when burning a fire:

1. Use dry, seasoned wood. Do not burn material that has just been cut or has been soaked by moisture. 

2. Use a mixture of material of different sizes and thickness. Start with small tinder: like dry moss or really dry pine needles. Next, put kindling into the fire. Kindling are small pieces of wood no larger than the width of one of your fingers. Arrange your third and last material, the “fuel” (larger material), in a teepee type style. Put a break in the pattern, like a door to the teepee, facing into the wind. This break allows the breeze to blow into the fire and creates a hotter, more efficient fire. 

3. Light your fire with matches, no fuel (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) should be necessary, through the door of the teepee. Start by lighting the tinder, the tinder will then catch the remaining material on fire. Add material as the fire burns hot and quickly.

Many of the burn rules are, in many cases, restrictive by design. By creating these rules, the State can reduce the amount of burning taking place in the urban areas, reducing both air pollution and fire risk. However, there are circumstances where the BCAA can allow an individual or company to burn outside of these rules.

A Special Burn Permit may be issued under specific circumstances. The permit has an associated fee that is assessed in two parts. First, there is a $75 non-refundable application fee that must accompany the written application. This allows the BCAA Inspector to process the application and if necessary, inspect the materials to be burned prior to burning. The application can either be accepted or rejected at this point. If accepted, there is an additional charge of no more than $8.50 per cubic yard of material to be burned. The fees must be paid within 30 days of the permit being issued. A permit is issued that is specific to the applicant’s type of burning. The permit conditions often will allow more “burn days” than would be available under the spring and fall burn windows.