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STAGE 2 BURN BAN: This means no beach fires, among other types

August 15, 2023 5:10 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

A Stage 2 burn ban is now in effect, first ordered by the King County Fire Marshal for unincorporated areas and extended into Seattle and other cities by agreement of the King Co. Fire Chiefs Association. Here’s what this means:

During a Stage 2 burn ban, any outdoor fire such as a backyard fire pit or campfire using chopped firewood or charcoal is prohibited.

Under the ban, any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or discontinue when ordered or notified to do so can be charged with, up to and including, a misdemeanor. Seattle firefighters have also been directed to extinguish any illegal fires during this ban.

Manufactured portable outdoor devices are allowed, including barbecues and patio warmers that are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Approved fuel devices – including those that rely on charcoal, natural gas, or propane gas – are also allowed.

Of note, this means no beach fires, even in the rings at Alki.

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14 Replies to "STAGE 2 BURN BAN: This means no beach fires, among other types"

  • Pete August 15, 2023 (5:24 pm)

    This is a smart move. 

  • WS resident August 15, 2023 (8:02 pm)

    It’s about time. 

  • RT August 15, 2023 (8:27 pm)

    sure smells like beach fire smoke tonight…….not the Whatcom county fire smoke we had on Sunday. hope folks honor the ban.

    • Westy August 16, 2023 (10:03 am)

      I have reported fires at Alki and also over by Saltys and the fire department is very appreciative of being contacted and they do head out and tell them to put it out.  Please be vigilant…… the public is responsible for paying attention and letting the fire department know of open fires.  You could save someone’s life and keep us from having a huge out of control fire and poisonous smoke to breath.  Simply call 911 and ask them for the fire department..  our watchfulness as a community is important to our safety.

  • Lucy August 15, 2023 (8:45 pm)

    There was another fire downtown this evening around 5pm.  Any news on what happened?

  • Jay August 16, 2023 (9:29 am)

    Invest in a propane fire pit. They’re okay to use during burn bans and keep you beach nights and camping trips going throughout the summer. They’re not that expensive and totally worth it. Add extra lava rocks, they warm up in the fire and put out way more heat than you get from just the propane burning. We’ve used our many nights at Alki. (A Karen called the fire department once, but the firefighters said it was fine and legal and to keep having fun.)

    • Pdavis August 16, 2023 (9:57 am)

      Flames are flames!  Every fire is a fire hazard. DUH….. there is no reason to be burning anything during this extremely dangerous fire time..  brainless! Stupid!  NO fires/flames! protect the lives and environment by going with no fires until we get out of this extremely dry high fire risk time.  It’s basic intelligence and respect for peoples property and lives…… NO  flames

      • Jay August 16, 2023 (2:31 pm)

        That’s a big misunderstanding of fire safety. Ask a firefighter, and don’t call 911 over a gas appliance like a grill or fire pit. No need to throw insults like this.

    • flimflam August 16, 2023 (12:18 pm)

      Lol. Yes, a nice hot fire with lava rocks is what I crave on a warm/hot summers Eve….

  • PDiddy August 16, 2023 (10:54 am)

    I think its time to make the bans permanent. It makes the sand really dirty and also with pollution etc there is no real reason to have this. Would probably help with a lot of the late night nuisance issues and safety problems with people congregating there and causing issues.

  • TJ August 16, 2023 (1:38 pm)

    No to that. Tired of government banning more and more things. 

    • Jort August 16, 2023 (10:48 pm)

      If only there was a dream state, like Arizona, where government didn’t ban things!

  • Rhonda August 16, 2023 (9:19 pm)

    I’m currently ar Lincoln Park and a small group of young people have a roaring fire in one of the picnic structure fireplaces. Dry trees are just 20 feet up the hill from the chimney. The parks department should put some sort of temporary barrier up on these fireplaces for these occasional burn bans.

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