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.
Lower Basin FDRA
about 49% of the county (approximate)
· effective Oct 16, 2026
○No Restrictions
No Burn Bans in effect
Effective 10/16/2026: Campfires are allowed on DNR managed land in accordance with recreational fire rules. Rule Burns, not to exceed 10 feet in diameter, are allowed for forest debris from property that is not improved. DNR permit burning is allowed subject to the conditions of the permit. Prior to any burning, check with your local fire district and county as additional restrictions may be in place. Contact Department of Ecology or local Clean Air Authority to check if an air-quality burn ban is in place for your area. Fireworks, and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns or tracer ammunition are illegal on all DNR protected lands.
about 25% of the county (approximate)
· effective Oct 16, 2026
○No Restrictions
No Burn Bans in effect
Effective 10/16/2026: Campfires are allowed on DNR managed land in accordance with recreational fire rules. Rule Burns, not to exceed 10 feet in diameter, are allowed for forest debris from property that is not improved. DNR permit burning is allowed subject to the conditions of the permit. Prior to any burning, check with your local fire district and county as additional restrictions may be in place. Contact Department of Ecology or local Clean Air Authority to check if an air-quality burn ban is in place for your area. Fireworks, and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns or tracer ammunition are illegal on all DNR protected lands.
about 25% of the county (approximate)
· effective Oct 16, 2026
○No Restrictions
No Burn Bans in effect
Effective 10/16/2026: Campfires are allowed on DNR managed land in accordance with recreational fire rules. Rule Burns, not to exceed 10 feet in diameter, are allowed for forest debris from property that is not improved. DNR permit burning is allowed subject to the conditions of the permit. Prior to any burning, check with your local fire district and county as additional restrictions may be in place. Contact Department of Ecology or local Clean Air Authority to check if an air-quality burn ban is in place for your area. Fireworks, and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns or tracer ammunition are illegal on all DNR protected lands.
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 Yakima 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 Yakima 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 Yakima county under a burn ban right now?
No burn ban is currently reported for Yakima county. Municipal rules within the county may still restrict burning.
What can I still burn in Yakima 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 Yakima 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 Yakima Sheriff's Office.
