Whidbey’s burn ban will officially end this weekend.

Island County Fire Marshal Mark Brown, who is also the sheriff, released a statement Thursday announcing that he will lift the ban at 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 1. The change was the result of an increase in moisture levels.

The ban went into effect on July 7 and applied to homes in rural county areas.

Burning residential yard debris and land clearing activities are now allowed but do require a permit; they’re issued by Island County Public Health. Verbal permits can be acquired for fires less than 4 feet in diameter by calling an information hot line at 360-240-5526, the statement said.

Residential yard debris and land-clearing fires are permanently banned in urban areas, including Langley, Freeland, Coupeville and Oak Harbor. Also, burning garbage and using burn barrels is illegal statewide.

Fires less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high are allowed everywhere and do not require a permit.