Due to the recent rain and a near term forecast for more, the fire danger throughout  San Juan County has been designated as “low.”  With the expiration of the Governor Christine Gregoire’s ban on outdoor fires throughout western Washington, burn permits are now available.

Residential burn permits allow a single burn pile of up to ten feet in diameter.  The permit fee is $15, and they can be obtained from your local fire district or online at www.sjcfiremarshal.org.  Residential burn permits will be valid through June 30 – unless weather conditions necessitate an earlier expiration date.

As with previous years, open burning is not allowed within an “Urban Growth Area.” The Town of Friday Harbor, Eastsound and Lopez Village are subject to this restriction.  More information about urban growth areas can be found at www.sanjuanco.com/cdp/default.aspx.