Silvicultural Debris

Silvicultural Debris consists of trees, stumps, limbs, needles, etc., generated on unimproved property. Unimproved Property includes lands that are not irrigated, mowed, or otherwise maintained including timbered pastures, brush lands, scrub forests, and forests.

The photo on the right shows improved residential property within the yellow outline. Burning yard and garden debris from this area isn't allowed in most areas of Spokane County. Click here for details. Beyond the yellow line is unimproved residential property. Debris from this area is governed by Department of Natural Resources.

You may be eligible to burn silvicultural debris on unimproved property that is outside Spokane County's 13 cities, towns and their urban growth areas, under the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) permit or rule burn program. DNR can be reached at (509) 685-6900, or contact Spokane Clean Air with questions about your location. A DNR silvicultural debris permit information sheet explains the permit fees associated with this type of outdoor burning.

Residential land clearing burning - DNR may allow residential land clearing burning provided the fire consists of natural vegetation cleared from less than one acre of forest land on a five acre or larger parcel of land in non-commercial ownership. Contact DNR for more information, (509) 685-6900.

Smoke Sensitive Area - Portions of Spokane County are within the Smoke Sensitive Area because they are prone to experience elevated pollution levels due to population density and/or geographical features that trap pollutants. Additional restrictions may apply when burning silvicultural debris within this area. Click here for a fact sheet or contact DNR for more information, (509) 685-6900.