Bellevue residents cannot burn yard debris, hold bonfires, or light uncontained campfires for the next two months under a statewide emergency burn ban signed on Aug. 1 by Gov. Bob Ferguson.
The ban covers all 39 Washington counties, including every Bellevue neighborhood from Lake Hills to the Eastside foothills, and runs through noon on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Violations could carry criminal penalties under state law, though specific fine amounts have not been published.
Ferguson signed Emergency Proclamation 26-03 alongside a statewide wildfire emergency declaration as more than 1,000 fires have burned roughly 425,000 acres across Washington in 2026, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
That's the most acreage burned since 2021. More than 200,000 acres were actively burning in 12 large fires as of Aug. 1.
What's banned
The proclamation prohibits:
- Residential yard debris burning
- Trash burning
- Land clearing and weed abatement fires
- Bonfires
- Campfires not contained in an approved fire ring or fire pit
What's still allowed
- Gas- or liquid-fueled grills and stoves, if placed on a non-flammable surface at least five feet from vegetation
- Campfires at state, county, and municipal parks and campgrounds
- Small campfires in a fire ring or fire pit on private property
- Agricultural or silviculture burning with a valid fire permit
The governor's order does not override stricter local rules. Bellevue residents should check with the city or their local fire district for any additional restrictions.
Why now
Washington is in its fourth consecutive year of statewide drought, declared in April. The state's snowpack peaked at just 52% of normal this spring, and more precipitation fell as rain than snow, leaving rivers, reservoirs, and vegetation drier than usual heading into summer, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.
The National Weather Service on Aug. 1 issued its first-ever "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag Warning for Washington, covering Central and Eastern Washington with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph and humidity dropping to 15–20%.
Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove, who oversees the Department of Natural Resources, said the state's firefighters are already stretched thin. "Any new spark on our tinder dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire," Upthegrove said in a statement released with the proclamation. "I'm urging all Washingtonians to not be that spark."
What it means for the Eastside
Western Washington, including the Bellevue area, has seen few large fires so far this summer. But deputy state climatologist Karin Bumbaco warned on Friday, July 31, that the region is likely to feel impacts before the season ends, noting that heat waves often push smoke from eastern fires toward the Puget Sound lowlands.
The medium-term forecast calls for continued warmer and drier conditions through the coming months.
Ferguson activated 110 National Guard members on July 31, to support firefighting operations statewide, supplementing 27 helicopter crew members deployed earlier in July.
The proclamation authorizes additional Guard activation as needed and opens access to mutual aid through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
The ban may be ended early or extended depending on conditions. Residents can monitor updates at the governor's office website or the Department of Natural Resources.
