During the COVID-19 crisis, local fire departments and first responders are doing everything they can to protect their own health so that they are ready to protect others. Many people are also extremely concerned about their respiratory health.
So before starting an outdoor burn of any type, please consider the potential impacts on your neighbors and on local emergency responders, and postpone or cancel your burn if possible.
Also, avoid causing excessive smoke from wood-burning stoves used for home heating. The Northwest Clean Air Agency has received a number of complaints about heavy woodstove smoke.
For information on alternatives to outdoor burning, visit https://nwcleanairwa.gov/permits-and-services/outdoor-and-agricultural-burning/.
For information on proper use of woodstoves, see https://nwcleanairwa.gov/permits-and-services/wood-heating/.
To report an illegal burn or excessive smoke, call 360-428-1617 or go to https://nwcleanairwa.gov/permits-and-services/enforcement/complaints/.
More information
- Local air quality information: Northwest Clean Air Agency.
- Statewide air quality monitoring: Washington Department of Ecology.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency is responsible for enforcing federal, state and local air quality regulations in Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. In addition to permitting and regulating industrial sources of air pollution, the agency provides services and information related to asbestos, indoor air quality, outdoor burning, woodstoves and fireplaces. More information about the agency is available at https://nwcleanairwa.gov/.