Outdoor Fire Regulations

Outdoor Fire Regulations

The Camas-Washougal Fire Department has prepared the following information regarding outdoor fire regulations for your use. Note – all outdoor fires are prohibited during a burn ban (with the exception of Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG {propane} as the fuel.)

DEFINITIONS:

BAR-B-QUE: A cooking appliance that may be portable or permanent. Use conditions:

• Only clean and natural firewood, charcoal, manufactured fire logs, LPG, and/or natural gas are permissible fuels.

BURN BARREL: A barrel or other container used to burn rubbish and other debris. Use conditions:

• ILLEGAL – NOT PERMITTED (State Wide Ban)

OPEN BURNING: The burning of vegetation from land clearing. Use conditions:

• ILLEGAL – NOT PERMITTED within the city limits of Camas and the city limits of Washougal

OUTDOOR FIREPLACE: An outdoor fireplace constructed of masonry or metal materials and considered permanent in nature.

Use conditions:

• Only clean natural firewood, charcoal, manufactured fire logs, LPG, and/or natural gas are permissible fuels.
• Fire shall be attended at all times.

PORTABLE FIRE DEVICES with OPEN FLAME: A non-combustible device such as a fire pit or fire bowl or chimnea that contains the fire.

Use conditions:

• Only clean natural firewood, charcoal, manufacture fire logs, LPG, and/or natural gas are permissible fuels.
• Fire Extinguisher with rating of 4-A or greater OR a charged hose with a nozzle attached is required to be readily available.
• 15 foot distance from any structure is recommended.
• Fire shall be attended at all times.

Use conditions:

• Only clean natural firewood, charcoal or manufactured fire logs are permissible fuels.
• Fire extinguisher with a rating of 4-A or greater OR a charged hose with a nozzle attached is required to be readily available.
• 25 foot distance from any structure is required.
• Not permitted during a burn ban.
• The fire is not being conducted on public property where fires are prohibited, such as in a park or on school grounds. Fires in parks are only allowed where specifically authorized and where appropriate burning receptacles are provided.
• If wind creates a hazard of fire spread the fire shall be extinguished.
• Vegetation or other combustible material creating a path for fire spread shall be removed prior to starting the fire.
• Fire shall be attended by an adult at all times.

FUEL RESTRICTIONS:

• Burning yard waste is illegal.
• Burning garbage is illegal.
• Burning cardboard or paper, except to start a fire is illegal.
• Burning building materials i.e. scrap wood, paint, vinyl flooring, roofing, carpet etc. is illegal.
• Burning dead animals is illegal.
• Burning of plastic, rubber, trash or other prohibited fuel may constitute an unauthorized release of hazardous material to the atmosphere.

BONFIRE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FROM THE CAMAS-WASHOUGAL FIRE DEPARMENT:

A Bonfire Permit is required for open fires with a fuel volume exceeding 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height with more restrictive conditions. There is a permit fee associated with this activity. Contact the Camas-Washougal Fire Marshal’s Office for further information. A permit is not required for ceremonial or underground cooking fires.

FIRES ON PARKS PROPERTY

Fires are NOT PERMITTED on parks property or parkway/trails within the city limits of Camas or the city limits of Washougal, except in places designated for such use.