Island County Sheriff Mark Brown, who is also the county’s fire marshal, lifted a ban on outdoor burning this week.

The ban removal went into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 according to a Monday news release. The decision was made after evaluations indicated an adequate increase in fuel moisture levels.

Burning of residential yard debris and land-clearing debris is permanently banned in Coupeville, Freeland, Langley, Oak Harbor and their respective urban growth areas. Burning of this kind requires a permit where open burning is allowed.

All written burn permits will be issued through the Island County Health Department, according to the release.

Verbal permits for fires less than four feet in diameter may be obtained by calling the Northwest Clean Air Agency at 360-428-1617 ext. 4.

To obtain a written permit for fires greater than four feet in diameter, call 360-679-7350 for North and Central Whidbey; 360-221-5111 ext. 7350 for South Whidbey; or 360-387-3443 ext. 228 for Camano Island. If a property falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources, call 360-856-3500 for permit information.

Recreational fires less than three feet in diameter and shorter than two feet high do not require a permit.

Burning of garbage and the use of burn barrels is illegal throughout Washington; violators are subject to fines that can exceed $1,000, according to the release.

Visit www.islandcountyeh.org/page/276 for details, or call the Northwest Clean Air Agency at 360-428-1617 for questions or concerns about air quality issues.