What is the purpose of this permit?
The purpose of this permit is to allow fire agencies to burn a structure while taking into consideration whether or not this activity would result in air pollution impacting locations downwind from the site.
Who issues this permit?
Variable: See notes/comments for more information.
What activities require this permit?
This fire training burn permit is only for structural fire training. For other types of fire training, contact Ecology.
A permit is required for all structural training fires located within urban growth areas (
http://www.ofm.wa.gov/pop/smallarea/maps/uninc_uga/) or in cities with 10,000+ people (
http://www.ofm.wa.gov/pop/popden/default.asp).
Whenever a building is going to be demolished, renovated, or burned for fire training purposes, the building must be inspected by a certified Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) building inspector. Samples from the testing must be sent to a lab certified to test for asbestos.
The building owner or fire department must send an Asbestos Demolition/Renovation Notification Form to the agency that issues the permit; Ecology or the local clean air agency. If abatement is required before the burn, forms must be received at least 10 days before starting the removal activities.
All removal activities must be performed by a certified AHERA removal contractor.
When you receive your burn permit, you must do the following BEFORE you burn:
- Call Ecology’s Daily Burn Decision Hotline at 1-800-406-5322 to make sure you are allowed to burn that day in your county or zone.
- Notify adjoining property owners and other potentially affected people before burning.
- Follow all general permit conditions as outlined on the permit.
How much will this permit cost?
No fee required. If a local clean air agency issues the permit, contact that office directly with questions.
Where can I get the application for this permit?
The application is called '
Fire Training Permit Application' is online and can be accessed at
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/ECY07079.html.
Do I need to include anything with my application?
See the permit application for details.
Is the decision on my permit dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
When making the decision on your permit, the permitting authority will consider the applicable laws and rules, the contents of your application, and the background environmental conditions.
How long will it take to review my application?
Ecology will act on a complete application within one week and send you a permit or an explanation as to why the application was denied. Incomplete applications will be returned.
Where do I submit my application?
The location of the fire training exercise determines where to submit your application. Please see the application form for details.
How long is my permit valid?
Permits are valid January 1st to June 30th and July 1st to December 31st.
What is the appeal process for the permit?
You have a right to appeal the permit to the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) within 30 days of the date of receipt of the permit. The appeal process is governed by
Chapter 43.21B RCW and
Chapter 371-08 WAC. “Date of receipt” is defined in
RCW 43.21B.001(2).
Please contact the agency that issued your permit to discuss the decision on your permit.
Notes / Comments:
Who issues this permit?Department of Ecology and local clean air agencies issue this permit. Check the application form for the counties where Ecology issues the permit. If your county is not listed, then contact your local clean air agencies.
Where Can I Get the Application for this Permit?If the local clean air agency issues the permit contact them for their application.
Permit Timeliness Results
Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.
All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:
Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: 1.3Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 4Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 1Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 1(Summary results based on 9 submittals in 2023)