Chapter 7.52, Fire Hazard Areas, gives the full details on how fire hazard levels are determined, what restrictions apply to the different stages and what role the fire advisory board plays. Read the Chelan County Code online.
Fire Danger Restrictions
Current Conditions
All of unincorporated Chelan County is currently under July 1 fire restrictions. Residential campfires are banned. Propane fires are always allowed in residential campfires, commercial barbecues and camp stoves.
Fire restrictions begin annually on June 1 in Chelan County’s Valley Zone. Additional restrictions are added annually on July 1 in both the Valley and Mountain zones. The Chelan County fire marshal has the authority to add restrictions before July 1, depending on conditions.
See Chelan County Code Chapter 7.52 for full details.
All restrictions are removed annually on Oct. 1 unless the Board of County Commissioners passes a resolution, extending the restrictions.
Recreational fireworks are allowed in Chelan County only during designated times on New Year’s Eve.
JUNE 1 RESTRICTIONS (applies to Valley Zone)
Outdoor, open burning of grass, leaves, brush and other natural materials is prohibited.
Motorists cannot drive off a county roadway, except to access open public lands.
The use of exploding targets and incendiary ammunition is prohibited.
Residential campfires are allowed in a designated campfire area, including a portable fire pit.
Propane fires are always allowed in residential campfires, commercial barbecues and camp stoves.
JULY 1 RESTRICTIONS (applies to Valley and Mountain Zones)
All Stage 1 restrictions apply.
Residential campfires are prohibited.
Use of coal briquettes is prohibited.
Shooting outside of gun ranges is prohibited. Hunting is permitted in open areas.
Propane fires are always allowed in residential campfires, commercial barbecues and camp stoves.
FIREWORKS
Fireworks are banned year-round in unincorporated Chelan County except on New Year’s Eve.
People can light off fireworks in unincorporated Chelan County annually from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Only common fireworks permitted to be sold by retailers within the unincorporated Chelan County may be discharged between the allowed times on Dec. 31.
Fine for discharging fireworks is up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.
The county was divided into two zones because sometimes the fire conditions are different in the mountains and valleys of Chelan County. The Valley Zone includes unincorporated lands and areas within the boundaries of Chelan County Fire Districts 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The Mountain Zone includes unincorporated lands and area within the legal boundaries of Chelan County Fire Districts 3, 9 (Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue) and 10. If you need more details:
Fire restrictions put in place by the Board of County Commissioners apply only to those lands in the unincorporated areas of Chelan County. Cities have their own fire codes.
In addition, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management put their own restrictions in place on their public lands. If you are recreating on state or federal lands, including state and federal campgrounds and camping sites, make sure to visit their websites to determine the fire restrictions those agencies have in place.
From June 1 to Oct. 1, burning yard waste, such as leaves, grass, brush and other yard trimmings, is prohibited in unincorporated Chelan County. People can still have campfires at their homes as long as the fire is in an approved pit or device. Residential recreational campfires do not become prohibited until we reach Stage 2 of restrictions. Approved commerical barbecues and other propane-fueled devices are never prohibited.
Please remember that it is always prohibited to burn garbage, dead animals, asphalt, petroleum products, paints, rubber products, plastics, piles of paper, cardboard, treated wood, construction and demolition debris, metal and other substances that release toxic emissions, dense smoke or obnoxious odors when burned.
In the unincorporated areas of Chelan County, fireworks may only be discharged between 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Fireworks, including sparklers and snakes, are prohibited at all other times of the year.
All of the cities in Chelan County also have fireworks bans. If you live in a city, contact your local city hall to determine if fireworks are allowed in the city limits on New Year's Eve.
Beginning June 1, the use of exploding targets and incendiary ammunition (ammunition such as tracer rounds or ammunition with core material that can cause a spark when striking metal, rock or other hard materials) is prohibited.
When Stage 2 restrictions are in place, target shooting is only allowed at a gun range; however, hunting is permitted in open areas.
Posted: 02/24/2023 10:31 AM
Last Updated: 06/16/2025 09:03 AM
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
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By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
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YES
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By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.