Backyard fire pits and campfires are now illegal in unincorporated King County, and violators face misdemeanor charges under a Stage 2 burn ban that took effect at midnight on Friday, Aug. 7.
King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban issued the ban, which layers on top of Gov. Bob Ferguson's statewide burn ban that took effect Aug. 1. The statewide order already prohibited yard debris burning and bonfires, but the county's Stage 2 designation goes further: any outdoor fire using chopped firewood or charcoal in a fire pit or campfire ring is now banned, and anyone who refuses to extinguish a recreational fire when ordered to do so can be criminally charged.
The ban applies directly to unincorporated King County. Bellevue residents whose parcels fall within city limits are governed by the city's own fire regulations, but the King County Fire Chiefs Association is coordinating parallel Stage 2 bans across incorporated cities in the county, according to the Bellevue Reporter.
Eastside Fire & Rescue, which serves communities including Issaquah, Sammamish, North Bend and Woodinville, confirmed Thursday, Aug. 6 on X that the association is issuing the ban regionwide because of high fire danger and wildland firefighting resources committed outside the region.
What's still allowed
Gas and propane grills remain legal. So do manufactured portable outdoor devices like barbecues and patio warmers, as long as they are used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Charcoal grills designed for cooking are permitted; charcoal burned in a standalone fire pit or campfire ring is not.
Why now
Urban cited consecutive weeks of elevated temperatures, dry conditions with no relief in the forecast and firefighting resources stretched thin by fires in Eastern Washington.
"King County continues to be inundated by high temperatures and dry conditions—forecasted weather does not appear to provide relief for the foreseeable future," Urban said in the county's Thursday announcement. "You can help keep our region, neighborhoods, our forests, and first responders safe by adhering to the elevated burn restrictions."
What happens next
The ban has no end date. It remains in effect until further notice, according to the King County Department of Local Services. The statewide ban runs through Sept. 30.
Residents unsure whether their property falls in unincorporated King County or within Bellevue city limits can find jurisdiction information on King County's fire safety page. The county's fire marshal also urged smokers to exercise extreme caution with ashes and cigarette disposal during the ban period.
