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.

Burn Permits in Smoke Sensitive Areas
Portions of Spokane County are designated as Smoke Sensitive Areas because they are prone to experience elevated pollution levels due to population density and/or geographical features that trap pollutants.

Smoke Sensitive Areas include forested lands where certain activities (mainly timber harvesting and timber stand improvement) generate silvicultural debris. This debris must be processed or disposed in order to enhance forest health, prevent or abate fire hazards, or control disease. DNR, in cooperation with The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency, evaluates forested land burn requests within Smoke Sensitive Areas.  Contact DNR for more information, (509) 685-6900.