Washington State and many of its counties have begun lifting outdoor burn restrictions that were put in place during the peak of the 2026 wildfire season, as fall rain, cooler temperatures, and rising fuel moisture levels signal the end of critical fire weather conditions across much of the state.

Statewide Ban Lifted

Washington’s statewide outdoor burning ban expired in late September, according to reporting by the Yakima Herald and union-bulletin.com. While the statewide ban has ended, officials noted that active fires — including the Little Giant Fire in Chelan County — continued to burn, and some jurisdictions maintained local restrictions beyond the state expiration.

Local Jurisdictions Follow Suit

Individual counties and cities have been lifting their own burn bans in alignment with state guidance:

  • King County and Seattle lifted their Stage 2 Burn Ban effective October 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. The Stage 2 ban had prohibited all outdoor burning, including recreational fires. With the ban lifted, recreational fires on private property are again permitted subject to local air quality rules.
  • Whatcom County lifted outdoor burn restrictions at 8:00 a.m. on October 1, citing increased fuel moisture levels and recent rainfall as the basis for the decision.
  • Clallam and Pacific Counties lifted their fire safety burn bans effective October 1, according to the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA).
  • Thurston County has listed October 15 as the end date for its current fire safety burn ban.
  • Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason Counties are expected to follow guidance from the Washington DNR for their burn ban decisions.

What Is and Isn’t Allowed

Residents should be aware that lifting burn bans does not mean all burning is unrestricted. Several layers of regulation continue to apply:

  • Recreational fires must comply with local ordinances and air quality rules
  • Agricultural burning requires permitting and coordination with Ecology or local air agencies
  • Debris burning restrictions may still apply in some jurisdictions
  • Burn bans can be reinstated quickly if conditions deteriorate

Checking Before You Burn

Before lighting any outdoor fire, Washington residents should verify their county’s current burn status. Resources include:

  • Washington Department of Ecology’s Burn Ban Map (ecology.wa.gov)
  • Local air quality agency websites
  • Washington DNR fire information pages
  • County emergency management offices

Despite the improved conditions, fire managers caution that October weather can be unpredictable in the Pacific Northwest. A return of warm, dry, and windy conditions could quickly elevate fire danger again, particularly east of the Cascades where fires are still smoldering.