King County lifted its outdoor burn bans effective Thursday, Oct. 1, but Bellevue residents should not assume the city's own restrictions are also gone. As of Wednesday, Sept. 30, the city's burn ban page still showed the Stage 2 ban in effect and had not been updated to reflect the countywide change.
King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban announced Wednesday that both Stage 1 and Stage 2 burn bans in unincorporated King County would end at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. The bans had been in place since June, when a Stage 1 ban took effect June 22, followed by a stricter Stage 2 ban on Aug. 7 that prohibited all outdoor fires, including recreational and ceremonial burns.
The decision, first reported by the Issaquah Reporter, was made in coordination with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and King County Fire Marshals. It coincides with the expiration of the statewide burn ban, also on Sept. 30.
"The recent cooler weather, increased humidity, and anticipated precipitation have allowed wildland fuels to recover moisture," Urban said in a statement.
Conditions were different two months ago. On Aug. 6, when Urban issued the Stage 2 ban, he warned that "King County continues to be inundated by high temperatures and dry conditions" with no relief in the forecast.
Bellevue residents with questions should contact Bellevue Fire Prevention at [email protected] or 425-452-6872 to confirm whether the city's restrictions have also been lifted.
What the rules allow now
With no fire safety burn ban in effect, recreational fires are permitted in unincorporated King County under standing rules. According to King County's fire safety page, those rules require:
- Fires must be built in a metal or concrete fire pit, no larger than 3 feet in diameter
- A 10-foot horizontal clearance from vegetation, 25 feet from any structure and 20 feet of vertical clearance from overhanging branches
- A shovel and 5-gallon bucket of water or connected hose on hand
- No burning when winds exceed 15 mph
- Fires must be attended at all times and fully extinguished when done
Yard debris burning is also allowed again, but only on property outside the urban growth boundary. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency regulations still apply, and separate air quality burn bans can be issued at any time.
Summer 2026 burn ban timeline
- June 22: Stage 1 burn ban took effect, prohibiting yard debris fires but allowing recreational fires
- Aug. 7: Stage 2 burn ban took effect, prohibiting all outdoor fires including recreational and ceremonial burns
- Sept. 30: Statewide burn ban expired
- Oct. 1: King County bans lifted at 12:01 a.m.
Residents can monitor future restrictions at the King County fire safety page.
