8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Spokane County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
A recreational fire pit is allowed only if it burns approved fuels and stays no larger than 3 feet across by 2 feet tall. All fire pits are banned during seasonal fire-danger and air-quality burn restrictions, which Spokane County has each summer.
SRCAA Outdoor Burning (recreational fires)
Recreational fires include camp and cooking fires, backyard barbecues, chimineas, and other patio warmers that burn charcoal, natural firewood, or manufactured logs and pellets. Fires must not exceed 3' across x 2' tall.
Consumer fireworks are banned in unincorporated Spokane County under Spokane County Code Chapter 3.17 — no sale, possession, or discharge is allowed, even on the state's June 28-July 5 window. Incorporated cities set their own rules.
RCW 70.77.395
Fireworks may be discharged only during the following days and times: On June 28th, between the hours of twelve o'clock noon and eleven o'clock p.m.; On June 29th to and including July 3rd... On July 4th, between the hours of nine o'clock a.m. and twelve o'clock midnight.
Spokane County has no single fixed defensible-space clearance distance for all homes, but Washington DNR can require abatement of extreme fire hazards on forestland, and county fire districts urge Firewise defensible space around homes in wildland areas.
RCW 76.04.660
If the owner of the land refuses, neglects, or fails to abate, isolate, or reduce an extreme fire hazard within the time specified, the department may... summarily abate, isolate, or reduce the hazard and recover twice the actual cost from the owner.
Burning yard and garden debris is NOT allowed for most residents of Spokane County. Burning garbage and burn barrels are banned statewide. Only residents in a few delegated fire districts may burn natural debris, and never during a burn restriction.
SRCAA Outdoor Burning
Burning yard/garden debris is not allowed for most residents of Spokane County. Burning garbage anywhere in Washington has been prohibited for decades. The use of burn barrels is also banned statewide.
Much of forested Spokane County lies under Washington DNR fire protection. Each summer DNR and county fire officials issue seasonal burn restrictions that prohibit outdoor fires on all state, county, city, and private DNR-protected land during hot, dry conditions.
WA DNR Burn Restrictions
When a burn restriction is in place, it prohibits outdoor fires on all state, county, city, and private land under DNR fire protection, including all state forests, DNR-managed forestlands and DNR campgrounds.
Washington law (RCW 43.44.110) requires a smoke detection device inside every dwelling unit occupied by someone other than the owner. Owners install them; tenants maintain them and replace batteries. Non-compliance carries a fine of up to $200.
RCW 43.44.110
Smoke detection devices shall be installed inside all dwelling units occupied by persons other than the owner... Installation of smoke detection devices shall be the responsibility of the owner. Maintenance... shall be the responsibility of the tenant.
Backyard campfires and cooking fires are allowed only when no burn restriction is in effect, using clean natural fuels, and kept to 3 feet across by 2 feet tall. During Spokane County's seasonal fire-danger restrictions, all backyard fires and campfires are prohibited.
SRCAA Outdoor Burning (recreational fires)
Use only approved fuels: charcoal, natural gas, propane, manufactured logs/pellets, firewood. Firewood must be dry, clean and natural (untreated). Fires must not exceed 3' across x 2' tall.
Washington adopts the International Fire Code statewide. In apartments and other multifamily buildings, LP-gas (propane) cooking devices generally may not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction, with a limited exception for small 1-pound cylinders.
1 cities in Spokane County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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