Due to the increase in moisture levels, Island County Fire Marshal Mark Brown will lift the ban on outdoor burning. The burn ban will cease at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, for the unincorporated areas of Island County.

A permanent ban on open burning remains in effect in the cities of Oak Harbor, Langley and Coupeville, as well as the community of Freeland, and their urban growth areas. For more information on the permanent burn ban contact the Northwest Clean Air Agency at 800-622-4627 or visit  www.nwcleanair.org.

Brown, who also serves as the elected Island County sheriff, said anyone who lives in an area where open burning is allowed must first call 360-391-0392 to obtain a burn permit. Fires less than 4 feet in diameter do not require a burn permit; fires over 4 feet in diameter require a written burn permit.

“As always burning garbage and the use of burn barrels is illegal statewide and subject to fines up to $1,000,” Brown said.

If one’s property falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources, call 360-856-3500 for burn permit information.

Anyone with questions about open burning in Island County should call the Island County Fire Warden’s Office at 360-391-0392.