Residents reminded of burning restrictions

Since Ritzville is not an Urban Growth Area (UGA), it is legal to burn natural vegetation as long as guidelines are followed.

Before conducting outdoor burning:

The burn pile must be less than four-foot by three-foot and can only burn one pile at a time.

Burning is not permitted in the alleys or roadways.

Fires must be extinguished at dusk.

Burning is not the only way to dispose of natural vegetation. Consider composting and chipping for solid waste disposal.

Residents are encouraged to call and follow the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) Burn Day Hotline at 1-800-406-5322.

When and where burning is allowed, only unprocessed natural vegetation may be burned.

Burn barrels are illegal.

Smoke must not impact neighbors, and the person responsible for the smoke must put out the fire if it does have an impact.

Do not leave the fire unattended.

The fire should not include materials hauled from another property.

Construction and demolition debris is illegal to burn.

More information is available at Ecology’s website at http://www.ecy.wa.gov.