Citified residents on Whidbey Island clearing storm debris from their yards will need to physically transport the brush to a solid waste complex or pay to have it taken away.
A new Washington State burn ban put in place Jan. 1 restricts burning of yard waste in addition to land-clearing burning in all Urban Growth Areas and within the city limits of Oak Harbor, Coupeville and Langley.
The new burn ban is part of a state law, passed more than a decade ago, that has been phased in gradually. The specific burning regulations have been in place in Oak Harbor’s city limits since Jan. 1, 2001.
“Coupeville and Langley came onboard in January of this year,” said Fred Wefer, fire warden for Island and Skagit counties.
The city of Oak Harbor is in the process of picking up storm debris on the west side. However, the service may not be provided after future storms.
“We may need to adjust our policy,” said Debbie Mueller, Oak Harbor Public Works administrative assistant. “For subsequent storms, we’ll take it as it comes.”
The last provision of the law that took effect on the first day of the year banned all outdoor burning within designated Urban Growth Area boundaries. Of the three Whidbey municipalities, only Oak Harbor and Langley have UGAs that extend beyond the city limits.
With the Island County Sheriff’s Office tasked with enforcing the burn ban, Sheriff Mark Brown emphasized the importance of the public possessing a clear understanding of the burn ban and the areas affected.
“It’s an educational process and an important one,” Brown said.
Citizens unsure if they reside within a UGA should call Island County Planning and Community Development at 679-7339 or visit its Web site at www.islandcounty.net/planning/BurnBanInfo.htm.
In unincorporated areas, fires less than 4-feet in diameter may be burned with a verbal permit obtained from Wefer. Fires larger than 4-feet in diameter require a written permit, issued at the fire warden’s discretion. To inquire about permits, call 1-800-622-4627 ext. 4.
Wefer issues permits based on the concentration of residences in the area. Heavily developed sections of unincorporated Whidbey are less likely to be granted permits, as smoke can be a problem for neighbors.
“I discourage residents from burning in those places,” Wefer said. “For example, I’m not issuing permits in Useless Bay and Holmes Harbor. They’re not in the UGA, per se, but we’re still not writing permits there.”
Residents within city limits or in UGAs can discard of their yard debris at the solid waste complex.
In unincorporated areas, a number of recycling or disposal services are available, including Island Disposal, which will pick up debris for those who have service.
The best place to obtain information about available alternatives to burning is the local solid waste department.
Additional information about outdoor burning rules and a list of resources in Island County is available on the Northwest Clean Air Agency’s Web site at www.nwcleanair.org.
