Chapter 7.52, Fire Hazard Areas, gives the full details on how fire hazard levels are determined, what restrictions apply to the different stages and what role the fire advisory board plays. Read the Chelan County Code online.
The county was divided into two zones because sometimes the fire conditions are different in the mountains and valleys of Chelan County. The Valley Zone includes unincorporated lands and areas within the boundaries of Chelan County Fire Districts 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The Mountain Zone includes unincorporated lands and area within the legal boundaries of Chelan County Fire Districts 3, 9 (Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue) and 10. If you need more details:
A fire danger rating, also called a fire hazard rating, refers to the fire-prone conditions in an area. In Chelan County, there are four ratings: moderate, high, very high and extreme.
The fire restrictions refer to those restrictions placed on travel and outdoor activities because of the current conditions. General fire restrictions go into place annually on June 1. Restrictions then move to Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3, with Stage 3 being the highest level of restrictions. All restrictions are removed annually on Oct. 1 unless the Board of County Commissioners passes a resolution, extending the restrictions.
Most people are concerned about the fire restrictions in their area. But it’s always advised to be aware of the fire danger rating so you know just how fire prone the environment is.
Fire restrictions put in place by the Board of County Commissioners apply only to those lands in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County. Cities have their own fire codes.
In addition, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management put their own restrictions in place on their public lands. If you are recreating on state or federal lands, including state and federal campgrounds and camping sites, make sure to visit their websites to determine the fire restrictions those agencies have in place.
From June 1 to Oct. 1, burning yard waste, such as leaves, grass, brush and other yard trimmings, is prohibited in unincorporated Chelan County. People can still have campfires at their homes as long as the fire is in an approved pit or device. Residential recreational campfires do not become prohibited until we reach Stage 2 of restrictions. Approved commerical barbecues are never prohibited.
Please remember that it is always prohibited to burn garbage, dead animals, asphalt, petroleum products, paints, rubber products, plastics, piles of paper, cardboard, treated wood, construction and demolition debris, metal and other substances that release toxic emissions, dense smoke or obnoxious odors when burned.
In the unincorporated areas of Chelan County, fireworks may only be discharged between 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Fireworks, including sparklers and snakes, are prohibited at all other times of the year.
Counties and cities have their own codes for fireworks. If you live in a city, contact your local city hall to determine when and if fireworks are allowed in the city limits.
Beginning June 1, the use of exploding targets and incendiary ammunition (ammunition such as tracer rounds or ammunition with core material that can cause a spark when striking metal, rock or other hard materials) is prohibited.
When Stage 2 restrictions are in place, target shooting is only allowed at a gun range; however, hunting is permitted in open areas.
An open-flame device can be anything that has a flame that is capable of igniting other materials. Approved open-flame devices are:
Pressurized gas camp stoves, catalytic heaters and white gas camp stoves and lanterns
Commercially made and labeled barbeque devices
Stove or fireplace fires completely contained within a home or residence
Propane or pressurized white gas warming devices with a shield and base
An enclosed solid fuel fire that utilizes a wick to distribute the flame
Listed gas campfire devices
Commercial operators can obtain a permit from the county fire marshal or permission from the appropriate fire protection agency for non-labeled devices
Smoking materials, such as cigarettes, should always be properly disposed of in a metal or non-combustible container; never discard cigarettes or other smoking materials in vegetation or flower beds or leave them burning near combustible materials.
Posted: 02/24/2023 10:31 AM
Last Updated: 11/01/2024 03:27 PM
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
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By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
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By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
