Fire Marshal Steps Up Education and Enforcement Ahead of Wildfire Season

With limited routes in and out of the Key Peninsula to the rest of Pierce County, a wildfire on the KP could quickly become dangerous.

That reality is one reason Pierce County Fire Marshal Ken Rice said the peninsula is one of the areas he worries about most during fire season.

“The fire danger out here is very high,” Rice said. “Probably my biggest concern of all Pierce County is the Key Peninsula because of the limited access to the area.”

To help reduce that risk, the county will launch a fire marshal pilot program on the Key Peninsula this summer aimed at preventing wildfires. The effort will focus on two of the most common causes: illegal outdoor burning and fireworks violations.

Fire marshal deputies will work with the Key Peninsula Fire Department to educate residents about the rules while also reinforcing existing state and county regulations.

Rice said education will be the priority, but enforcement will remain an option when needed.

“I love education. I don’t like enforcement, but we’ll do it if we have to,” he said. On the Key Peninsula and other parts of unincorporated Pierce County, residents can typically burn yard debris with a permit during the cooler months. But those fires must stop when the Stage 1 burn ban takes effect June 1, as warmer and drier conditions increase wildfire danger.

“You still have plenty of time to burn your stuff before then,” Rice said.

After the burn ban starts, yard debris fires become illegal. Residents who see an illegal burn should call 911, Rice said, so firefighters can respond and notify the fire marshal’s office if enforcement action is necessary.

Often, the first violation results in a warning paired with education.

“You get one warning,” Rice said. “You never get two from me.”

Illegal burning can carry serious consequences. Violators may face a misdemeanor citation with fines of up to $1,000, and fire districts may also bill residents for the cost of responding to the fire.

“Tax dollars shouldn’t be used to put out an illegal burn,” Rice said. “The violator should pay for it.”

Those costs can quickly add up, with Rice saying a typical response could cost $5,000 to $10,000.

Fireworks are another concern. On the KP, fireworks this summer can only be used July 4 between 10 a.m. and midnight.

Fire marshal deputies will be in the area during the holiday to help reinforce the rules.

“We don’t want to impose on anybody’s liberties or enjoyment,” Rice said. “We just want to keep life safety a focus.”

Fireworks stands will post signs explaining the laws and potential penalties, and informational handouts will be available. Illegal fireworks will be confis- cated no matter the date.

Anyone caught using fireworks outside the legal window may face a criminal citation, a $1,000 fine, and a misdemeanor record.

“A criminal record doesn’t seem worth it over fireworks,” Rice said.

For Rice, the goal of the pilot program is simple: to prevent emergencies before firefighters have to respond.

“There’s a big difference between fighting structural fires and fighting wildfires,” he said. “It’s a whole different beast.”

Fire marshal deputies are also available to speak with homeowner associations, neighborhood groups, and community organizations about wildfire prevention. Residents interested in scheduling a presentation can contact the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau at 253-798-7179 or pcfireprevention@piercecountywa.gov.