WSR 25-21-057
EMERGENCY RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE
[Order 25-251—Filed October 10, 2025, 3:17 p.m., effective October 10, 2025, 3:17 p.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: Current emergency wildfire rules in effect for eastern Washington need to be repealed due to the reduced threat of fire danger. However, the same rules, except for WAC 220-500-140 Firearms and target practicing, need to remain in effect for Asotin, Garfield, Whitman, Walla Walla, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane, Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, and Klickitat counties. These foregoing counties need the rules to remain in effect to prevent wildfires on department of fish and wildlife (department) lands during the current period of high fire danger. The new rules will help reduce the threat of wildfires on department lands and provide protection of human health, safety, and wildlife habitat.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 220-500-03000G, 220-500-04000P, 220-500-11000G, and 220-500-14000G; and amending WAC 220-500-030, 220-500-040, and 220-500-110.
Under RCW
34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: Due to a reduced risk of fire danger in parts of eastern Washington, current emergency wildlife rules need to be repealed while the same rules, except for WAC 220-500-140 Firearms and target practicing, need to stay in effect for Asotin, Garfield, Whitman, Walla Walla, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane, Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, and Klickitat counties.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 4.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: October 10, 2025.
Amy H. Windrope
for Kelly Susewind
Director
NEW SECTION
WAC 220-500-03000HBehavior and conduct.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-500-030, effective immediately until further notice, rules regarding allowable behavior in wildlife areas and access areas in Asotin, Garfield, Whitman, Walla Walla, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane, Okanagan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, and Klickitat counties that are owned or controlled by the department shall be modified as follows, other provisions of WAC 220-500-030 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
1. In wildlife areas and access areas in Asotin, Garfield, Whitman, Walla Walla, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane, Okanagan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, and Klickitat counties that are owned or controlled by the department, it is unlawful to:
a. Operate a chainsaw without a permit or approval from the director; or
b. Weld or operate an acetylene torch or other open flame without a permit or approval from the director.
2. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable under RCW
77.15.1606Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. Reviser's note: The spelling errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. NEW SECTION
WAC 220-500-04000QRegulating public access.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-500-040, effective immediately until further notice, rules regarding operating motor vehicles off of developed roadways in department managed wildlife and access areas shall be modified as follows, other provisions of WAC 220-500-040 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
1. It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle off developed roadways in wildlife areas and access areas owned or controlled by the department in Asotin, Garfield, Whitman, Walla Walla, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane, Okanagan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, and Klickitat counties. However, it is permissible to park in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, and to park overnight in developed campgrounds and at trailheads unless otherwise posted.
2. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable under RCW
77.15.160.
Reviser's note: The spelling error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. NEW SECTION
WAC 220-500-11000HFires and campfires.
Notwithstanding the provisions of WAC 220-500-110, effective immediately until further notice, rules regarding fires, campfires, and smoking in wildlife areas and access areas owned or controlled by the department shall be modified as follows, other provisions of WAC 220-500-110 not addressed herein remain in effect unless otherwise amended by emergency rule:
1. It is unlawful to build, start, or maintain fires or campfires in wildlife areas and access areas owned or controlled by the department in Asotin, Garfield, Whitman, Walla Walla, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane, Okanagan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, and Klickitat counties without a permit or approval from the director. However, it is permissible to use personal camp stoves or lanterns fueled by liquid petroleum, liquid petroleum gas, or propane.
2. It is unlawful to smoke in wildlife area in Asotin, Garfield, Whitman, Walla Walla, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane, Okanagan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, and Klickitat counties and access areas owned or controlled by the department in Eastern Washington, except in an enclosed vehicle.
3. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable under RCW
77.15.160.
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. Reviser's note: The spelling errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040. REPEALER
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
WAC 220-500-03000G | Behavior and conduct. (25-130) |
WAC 220-500-04000P | Regulating public access. (25-130) |
WAC 220-500-11000G | Fires and campfires. (25-130) |
WAC 220-500-14000G | Firearms and target practicing. (25-130) |