Coupeville Sports

Burn ’em if you got ’em.

Thanks to abundant rain in the early days of summer, Island County’s annual outdoor burn ban is arriving later than normal.

But it is coming, as of midnight on July 30.

The ban, which was announced Monday by Island County Fire Marshal/Sheriff Rick Felici, covers outdoor burning of natural debris, even with a permit.

Recreational fires are still allowed in approved fire pits, with the fire no more than three feet in diameter and two feet high.

The burn “must be contained within a fire pit that has been cleared of all combustible material within a 10-foot radius, (and) must be monitored at all times.

Also, “there must be a water source readily available — at a minimum, a charged water hose or a five-gallon bucket of water.”

Barbeque grills using propane or briquettes, or self-contained camp stoves, are also allowed during the burn ban.

The burn ban was put in place due to “atmospheric conditions of reduced moisture levels, low humidity, and warmer weather.”

For outdoor burning info, contact the Island County Health Department at (360) 679-7350.