Most East Jefferson County fire districts will ban residential burning this summer as part of new permit processes.
Burn bans in several fire districts kicked in June 1 and last until Oct. 1. And permits will be required for residential outdoor burning for the first time in several districts when bans are lifted.
The new rules apply to Fire District No. 1 (Chimacum), Fire District No. 3 (Port Ludlow), Fire District No. 5 (Gardiner) and Fire District No. 6 (Cape George/Kala Point).
Only Fire District No. 2 (Quilcene) and Fire District No. 4 (Brinnon) have decided not to institute a summer burn ban and local permit process.
“We have a low population density here,” Fire District No. 2 Chief Bob Wilson said Tuesday. “We feel like if people want to burn they should be allowed to burn.”
The regulations are the result of the state shifting responsibility for burning permits to local fire districts.
Previously, most permitting was handled by the state Department of Natural Resources.
