A DNR burn ban covers state forests, state parks and private forestlands that DNR protects. Counties, fire districts and the Department of Ecology set their own rules for everything else.
South Lowlands FDRA
about 94% of the county (approximate)
· effective Oct 9, 2026
○No Restrictions
No Burn Bans in effect
EFFECTIVE 10/09/2026 AT 0001 hours; SOUTH LOWLANDS FDRA IS LOW. If you have a written permit, burning is allowed subject to the conditions of your permit. Rule burns, not to exceed 10 feet in diameter, are allowed for forest debris from property that is not improved. Campfires are allowed, however campfires are not allowed on state land except in DNR campgrounds. Contact the county Fire Dept. for information on recreation burning on improved property. For agricultural, yard and garden burning or to check if an air-quality ban is in place, contact Southwest Clean Air Agency at 1-800-663-0709.
about 5% of the county (approximate)
· effective Oct 9, 2026
○No Restrictions
No Burn Bans in effect
EFFECTIVE 10/09/2026 AT 0001 hours; CASCADE SOUTH FDRA IS LOW. If you have a written permit, burning is allowed subject to the conditions of your permit. Rule burns, not to exceed 10 feet in diameter, are allowed for forest debris from property that is not improved. Campfires are allowed, however campfires are not allowed on state land except in DNR campgrounds. Contact the county Fire Dept. for information on recreation burning on improved property. For agricultural, yard and garden burning or to check if an air-quality ban is in place, contact Southwest Clean Air Agency at 1-800-663-0709.
The wording in each area above is Washington DNR — Burn Bans layer's own, and it is the authority for
what you may burn on DNR-protected land. Two further systems apply on top:
Your county and fire district
They set their own outdoor burning rules and can go further than the state. Call your fire district before you burn.
Air-quality burn bans
The Department of Ecology and regional Clean Air Agencies call separate bans based on air quality. Those run on their own schedule.
Penalties in Washington
Fireworks and incendiary devices — exploding targets, sky lanterns, tracer ammunition — are illegal on all DNR-protected lands under RCW 76.04.455. Anyone who starts a wildfire can also be billed for the cost of suppression and held liable for property damage.
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Gear for burning safely
Open burning is currently permitted in Cowlitz county, and the gear below helps keep a legal
fire contained: barrels and pits that hold embers in one place, plus something to put a fire out with.
Local rules on containment, distance and burn hours still apply — confirm those before you light.
Contained burn barrels
A lidded, spark-arrestor barrel keeps embers where you put them and makes a debris burn easier to control from start to finish.
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Limits of this information
burnbanradar reads public burn-ban orders as published by Washington DNR — Burn Bans layer and reports them unchanged.
Cities and municipalities within Cowlitz county may impose stricter rules than the county order.
Water districts and state forestry rules may add further restrictions.
When an order is ambiguous or the source cannot be reached, we show Unconfirmed instead of guessing a status.
The county's own posted order governs.
Common questions
Is Cowlitz county under a burn ban right now?
No burn ban is currently reported for Cowlitz county. Municipal rules within the county may still restrict burning.
What can I still burn in Cowlitz county?
Standard open burning is currently permitted, subject to any municipal ordinance in your area. Never leave a fire unattended, and keep water and a shovel nearby.
How do I report an illegal fire in Cowlitz county?
Call 911 for any fire that is out of control or threatens property. For a non-emergency burn-ban violation, you can also reach Washington DNR Wildfire Hotline at 1-800-562-6010 (for wildfires on DNR-protected land; other jurisdictions may have separate numbers), or contact the Cowlitz Sheriff's Office.
