Washington State's statewide burn ban is set to expire on September 30, 2026 — but fire officials across the state are delivering a clear message: the end of the burn ban does not mean the end of fire danger. With fuels still dry in many parts of Central Washington and no significant season-ending precipitation event on the horizon, officials are urging residents to exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning even after restrictions lift.

"We have not seen that full season-ending precipitation event that would put us in a position to say that fire season has ended," said Ryan Rodruck, public information officer with the Washington Department of Natural Resources. "In a lot of areas, there are still some very dry fuels on the landscape, especially in areas of Central Washington."

Local Restrictions May Remain in Place

While the governor's statewide burn ban applies broadly, individual counties and local jurisdictions may maintain their own burning restrictions after September 30. Rodruck urged residents to contact local authorities before conducting any outdoor burning.

"It is important to remember to check with your local jurisdictions because there will be burn restrictions in place after that September 30 date," Rodruck said. He noted that roughly 85 to 90 percent of wildfires in Washington are human-caused, and many of those originate from outdoor burning that gets out of control.

Fire Chiefs Echo the Warning

Grant County Fire District 7 Chief Erick Brittain offered an equally cautious assessment when asked whether fire season is truly over.

"No," Brittain said flatly. "We have not got that season-ending precipitation. I do not believe we will be out of fire season until at least November."

Brittain noted that while recent moisture has provided some relief, fuels across his district remain capable of carrying fire under the right wind and temperature conditions. His advice: "No matter what the calendar says, just always be vigilant and aware. Even though you can do something, it does not mean you should do something."

Cautious Optimism from the DNR

DNR's Rodruck used two words to sum up the agency's current outlook: "Cautious optimism." Weather patterns are trending in a favorable direction with autumn temperatures and increased precipitation, but fire managers say they are still waiting for the kind of deep, sustained rain that thoroughly soaks fuels from the surface down through the duff layer.

"The potential of seeing a large, costly fire develop on the landscape is decreasing pretty rapidly, but that does not mean those fuels will not carry fire," Rodruck said. "The chance that fire can develop on the landscape is absolutely still there."

What This Means for Residents

As of September 30, residents who wish to conduct open burning should:

  • Contact their county or local jurisdiction to confirm whether local burning restrictions remain in place.
  • Check current fire danger ratings and weather conditions before igniting any fire.
  • Never leave a fire unattended, and ensure it is completely out before leaving the area.
  • Have water and tools available to extinguish the fire if conditions change unexpectedly.
  • Report any escaped or uncontrolled burns immediately by calling 911.

Washington's 2026 fire season has been among the most severe in state history, with hundreds of thousands of acres burned across the state and $207 million committed to suppression efforts. Residents are asked to help prevent additional fire starts as the season transitions to fall.