- How can I contact my fire district?
- Where is the nearest fire hydrant to my house?
- Where can I get first aid and CPR training?
- How many smoke detectors do I need in my home?
- When are hard-wired smoke detectors required?
- What type of smoke detector should I have?
- Where should I place my smoke detectors?
- How do automatic fire sprinklers work?
- How are automatic fire sprinklers activated?
- Do all the sprinklers go off if one sprinkler goes off?
- Can automatic fire sprinklers be installed in a home?
- How can I contact staff?
- Can the Fire Marshal's Office provide information about when it's okay to burn and if a permit is needed?
- Can I burn yard debris where I live?
- Do I need a burning permit to burn yard debris?
- Where can I obtain a burning permit?
- What does a burning permit cost?
- What types of materials can I burn?
- Can I have a small backyard recreational or cooking fire?
- Are fireworks legal in Clark County?
- When can I legally purchase and discharge fireworks?
- Can I obtain fireworks through mail order?
- What types of fireworks are legal to possess or discharge?
- What are the penalties for illegal firework possession, purchase or discharge?
- Isn't the Fire Marshal's Office part of my local fire department?
- What does the Fire Marshal do?
- How can I report a fire hazard?
- Does the Fire Marshal inspect wood stoves and fireplaces?
- What are the rules for placing Christmas trees in a business?
- What should I do to place a Christmas tree in my home?
- Can I get someone to come to my group to speak about fire safety?
- Where can someone go to get an interpretation of a Fire Code requirement?
- What are some of the major causes of fire in Clark County?
1. How can I contact my fire district?
| Fire District #1 Washougal | (360) 835-5511 |
| Fire District #2 Woodland | (360) 225-7076 |
| Fire District #3 Hockinson | (360) 892-2331 |
| Fire District #5 Vancouver | (360) 892-4323 |
| Fire District #6 Hazel Dell | (360) 576-1195 |
| Fire District #9 Fern Prairie | (360) 834-4908 |
| Fire District #10 Amboy | (360) 247-5233 |
| Fire District #11 Battleground | (360) 687-2171 |
| Fire District #12 Ridgefield / La Center | (360) 887-4609 |
| Fire District #13 Yacolt | (360) 686-3271 |
| Fire District #14 La Center / Highland | (360) 687-2171 |
| Battleground Fire Department | (360) 687-2171 |
| Camas Fire Department | (360) 834-2262 |
| La Center Fire Department | (360) 887-4609 |
| Ridgefield Fire Department | (360) 887-4609 |
| Vancouver Fire Department | (360) 892-4323 |
| Washougal Fire Department | (360) 835-2211 |
| Woodland Fire Department | (360) 225-7076 |
| Yacolt Fire Department | (360) 686-3271 |
| Department of Natural Resources | (800) 527-3305 |
2. Where is the nearest fire hydrant to my house?
The most accurate information about fire hydrant locations and fire flow available at specific locations can be obtained from your water purveyor (whoever sends you your water bill). When you contact your water purveyor, have your name and address ready.
3. Where can I get first aid and CPR training?
The American Red Cross regularly provides first aid and CPR training, as do many of the local fire departments and fire districts. The AMR can be contacted at (360) 693-5821. To contact your local fire department, refer to the table under "How Do I Contact My Local Fire District?"
4. How many smoke detectors do I need in my home?
You need to have smoke detectors in each sleeping room, in the hallway outside of sleeping rooms and on each floor level of your home.
5. When are hard-wired smoke detectors required?
All new homes are required to have smoke detectors that run off of the normal household electrical circuits - with battery backup. Older homes, built before smoke detectors were required are often supplied with battery operated smoke detectors only. Hard wired detectors that run off of a home's normal electricity can be installed or retrofitted into existing homes.
6. What type of smoke detector should I have?
There are two basic types of smoke detectors - ionic and photoelectric. Both types of detectors work well to detect fires where there are open flames. Tests have shown that the photoelectric detectors are better in detecting smoldering fires, the type of fire most common in homes.
7. Where should I place my smoke detectors?
The most common place is on the ceiling of the room. Take care not to place the detector outside of bathroom doors, in kitchens and other areas that produce vapors that might lead to accidental detector activations.
8. How do automatic fire sprinklers work?
Automatic fire sprinklers are connected to a series of pipes that run through the building's framework. The pipes are connected by control valves to a city or other reliable water supply. When a fire occurs, water automatically discharges through the sprinkler heads to extinguish or control the fire until the fire department arrives.
9. How are automatic fire sprinklers activated?
Fire sprinklers are activated from the heat of the fire.
10. Do all the sprinklers go off if one sprinkler goes off?
No. Only those sprinklers directly over the fire are activated. Most fires are contained or extinguished with only one or two heads going off.
11. Can automatic fire sprinklers be installed in a home?
Yes. Sprinklers in homes are very effective life safety devices that significantly enhance your chances for survival if there is a fire in your home.
12. How can I contact staff?
Call (360) 397-2186 and enter the extension for whom you would like to talk to. All of the staff has voice mail. If they aren't in, leave a message and they will return your call.
13. Can the Fire Marshal's Office provide information about when it's okay to burn and if a permit is needed?
Yes. Permits are needed in most instances. The size of the burn pile determines the type of permit required. The time of year also is a factor. Call the Fire Marshal's Office or your nearest fire station to find out what type of permit you need. If your fire pile will remain a three-foot by three-foot pile, a self-issuance permit (PDF - 22K) is required. Larger piles require a permit and there is a fee.
14. Can I burn yard debris where I live?
General outdoor burning is prohibited in most of the county's urban areas. To confirm whether you can burn at a specific address, contact the Southwest Clean Air Agency at (360) 574-3058. Be sure to have the exact address of where you want to burn ready. You may also check maps on their web page: www.swcleanair.org/clark.html.
15. Do I need a burning permit to burn yard debris?
Yes. A burning permit is required for all outdoor burning.
16. Where can I obtain a burning permit?
Burning permits for small outdoor burning fires can be obtained at your local fire district, the Amboy Market or the Fern Prairie Store or online here. Permits for larger burn piles can be obtained from the Permit Services Center at 1300 Franklin in Vancouver.
17. What does a burning permit cost?
There is no fee for the small outdoor burning permits and it is good for one year. Large pile burning permits cost $141 and an inspection by our staff is required prior to approval.
18. What types of materials can I burn?
Only natural vegetation that is grown on the property - and small amounts of paper necessary to start the fire.
19. Can I have a small backyard recreational or cooking fire?
Recreational and cooking fires are allowed even in areas where general outdoor burning is prohibited. The same safety rules apply for cooking and recreational fires as for general outdoor burning. The safety rules are listed on the face of the burning permit.
20. Are fireworks legal in Clark County?
Yes - with certain limitations.
21. When can I legally purchase and discharge fireworks?
Fireworks can be purchased or discharged anytime between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. beginning at noon on June 28th until 11 p.m. on July 5th. The hours of discharge are extended until 112 midnight on July 4th. Firework sale and discharge is prohibited at all other times of the year except by a special permit issued from the Fire Marshal.
22. Can I obtain fireworks through mail order?
No. Obtaining fireworks through any type of mail or shipping service is illegal unless you have an importer's license.
23. What types of fireworks are legal to possess or discharge?
Most common types of fireworks are legal for sale and discharge. Firecrackers, skyrockets, chasers, any modified or homemade device and large display devices are illegal without a special permit. Any fireworks purchased in Clark County from a licensed fireworks stand can be considered to be legal. If you have questions, call the Fire Marshal's Office at (360) 397-2186 for more information.
24. What are the penalties for illegal firework possession, purchase or discharge?
Fireworks violations are criminal misdemeanor violations. Fines start at $250 for civil citations but depending on the offence, fines of up to $1,000 and or up to one year in jail may be assessed.
25. Isn't the Fire Marshal's Office part of my local fire department?
No. The county fire marshal is a division of the county's Community Development department and is not directly connected to any fire department or fire district.
26. What does the Fire Marshal do?
The Fire Marshal's Office enforces various state and local fire codes, fireworks laws and fire prevention statutes. Fire marshal staff reviews and approves plans submitted for new buildings construction and conducts on site inspections and approvals throughout the building process. They inspect the county's existing businesses based upon the potential for loss of life and then loss of property in the event of a fire. The Fire Marshal also investigates the origin and cause of fires occurring in the county and is the lead agency in arson investigation.
27. How can I report a fire hazard?
Fire Hazards can be reported to the Fire Marshal at (360) 397-2186, press option 6. You may also use this online form.
28. Does the Fire Marshal inspect wood stoves and fireplaces?
No. The Building Division inspects wood stoves and fireplaces.
29. What are the rules for placing Christmas trees in a business?
Artificial Trees, Garlands and Wreaths:
Place trees away from exits or aisle ways. Make sure that the tree stand or other support systems is sufficient to keep the tree from falling over. Secure wreaths and garlands sufficiently so that they won't fall off or become dislodged during an emergency.
Natural Trees, Garlands and Wreaths:
NEVER PLACE CANDLES OR OTHER OPEN FLAME DEVICES ON OR NEAR NATURAL TREES, GARLANDS OR WREATHS!
Use only fresh trees. Locate trees away from aisles and exits and away from furnace air outlets or other heating devices. Prior to placing the tree in a stand make a fresh cut across the base of the tree trunk 1" or more above the original cut. Immediately place the tree in the stand and supply water. Tree stands or support devices must be able to support the tree firmly in an upright position (prevent the tree from tipping over), must not require removal or damaging the butt of the tree and must be large enough to hold a two day supply of water - enough to cover the stem by at least two inches. Trees use a lot of water when placed indoors. The following are minimum stand water capacities for different sized trees:
Up to 6 ½ feet - use ½ gallon
6 ½ to 10 feet - use 1 gallon
Over 10 feet - use 3 gallon
Check the tree at least daily for adequate water supply, adding fresh water as needed. Trees to not need preservatives added to their water. If the butt of the tree becomes exposed to air, remove the tree from the building or make a fresh butt cut 1" above the prior cut and replace the tree in the stand with fresh water.
Check the tree at least daily for dryness. Gently grasp a branch of the tree in your hand and pull your hand toward you allowing the branch needles to slip through your grasp. Take care not to pull the tree over. If needles readily come off in your hand, the tree is too dry and must be removed immediately.
Affix a tag on the tree once it is inside the building. The tag should include the name of the person who is responsible for the tree, the date the tree was put in the building, the name of any flame-retardants applied to the tree, who put them on and the date they were applied.
Fresh wreaths and garlands must be properly treated with an approved flame retardant. Secure wreaths and garlands sufficiently so that they won't fall off or become dislodged during an emergency. Check for dryness daily in the same manner that you would test a fresh tree. Remove all garlands and wreaths immediately when the needles readily come off in your hands. Affix a tag to the wreath or garland as you would a fresh tree.
30. What should I do to place a Christmas tree in my home?
The most critical factor in placing a tree in your home is an adequate water supply. Trees use lots of water and begin to die and dry out immediately once placed in your home if there is not enough water. Once a tree runs out of water and the butt becomes dry, it will not absorb more water without a fresh cut across the bottom. Follow the same directions for placing a tree in a home, as you would use in placing them in a business. You don't need to place or affix a tag to the tree.
31. Can I get someone to come to my group to speak about fire safety?
Yes. The Fire Marshal can prepare topics for almost any group or organization. Call (360) 397-2186 ext. 3396 to arrange for a speaker.
32. Where can someone go to get an interpretation of a Fire Code requirement?
Generally any one of the Deputy Fire Marshals can give an answer. Just call the office.
33. What are some of the major causes of fire in Clark County?
A major cause is children playing with matches and lighters. In the fall and winter, a lot of improperly installed heating appliances cause fires. This includes improperly installed wood stoves and portable heaters next to curtains or other combustible materials such as bedding.
