Sheriff Mark Brown has announced a county-wide burn ban in Island County beginning on Thursday.

The ban means no outdoor burning of natural debris, even with a permit. Recreational or cooking fires are allowed only in approved fire pits lined with concrete or metal, such as in established campgrounds.

Outdoor cooking is also allowed on a propane barbecue, or a barbecue with briquettes or a self-contained camp stove.

The ban goes into effect at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 17.