Burn ban applies to growth area

Monte Ritter told Mason County commissioners he lives in the Shelton Urban Growth Area “just outside the city limits” and has had trouble for years with his neighbors’ illegal burning.

People who live in an urban growth area “have to abide by the fire code as if you were in the city, not in the county,” Ritter said.

Shelton Fire Marshal Keith Reitz told the Journal outdoor burn bans in UGAs are state mandated “from a smoke management standpoint.”

Burning woody debris from cleared land is not allowed in UGAs, Reitz said.

The Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency designates UGAs and “all outdoor burning is prohibited,” according to their website.

“Recreational fires, under strict guidelines, are the only exception to the UGA restrictions. BBQ’s or campfires in approved locations shall burn charcoal and/or firewood only and are not to be used for debris disposal. No exceptions!” the Mason County website states.

Shelton enacted a complete burn ban July 22 that includes recreational fires and applies to UGA.

“I’ve called the fire department time and time again to have this problem resolved, and I could get nothing,” Ritter said.

Last year he contacted the commissioners asking for help, he said.

“I want to thank you for your intervention,” he said.

Ritter said Commissioner Randy Neatherlin went to the Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency and got a sign stating, “No Burn Area Outdoor Burning Prohibited Urban Growth Area.”

Ritter put the sign up on last year and “immediately” his neighbors contacted the fire marshal because they didn’t believe the sign was accurate.

After the regulations were confirmed, “I haven’t had a single call to the fire department in over a year. This sign had paid for itself,” he said.

Ritter spoke at the meeting to ask for a few more signs because someone obscured his original with white spray paint.

“Somebody has decided, for some reason, that defacing the sign would make it possible for them to illegally burn again. That’s ridiculous,” he said.

He said he would place a surveillance game camera next to the new signs on his property.

“And a sign saying they should smile,” he said.

“Monte, you’re in luck because I have an extra one of those in my office that I’ll give you after the meeting,” Commissioner Kevin Shutty said.