Here’s a quick refresher from the Shelter Bay Covenants and Rules & Regulations: Outdoor burning of any kind is prohibited, with limited exceptions. Residents may use propane or charcoal appliances on their lot for recreational purposes—such as barbecues, patio heaters, and fire pits—if the fires are supervised and controlled.
Wood or charcoal fires are allowed only in community-approved fire rings and grills, and only when no burn ban is in effect. Please remember that the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC) may issue burn bans for all tribal lands, which includes Shelter Bay, e.g., the burn ban currently posted at Martha’s Beach.
In day-to-day terms, supervised wood or charcoal fires are permitted in the community fireplaces or grills at Rainbow Park, and at the barbecue pavilion near the pool—unless a current burn ban prohibits their use. Use of charcoal briquettes and/or propane in barbeques is allowed during a burn ban.
Important: Shelter Bay Covenants prohibit weed-burning equipment (for example, torch-style weed burners).
Plain-language summary:
- Within Shelter Bay: No open fires are allowed during burn bans. Use of charcoal briquettes and/or propane in barbeques is allowed during a burn ban.
- At home: You may use a propane, wood pellet, or charcoal grill or fire pit, only if it is attended and when not restricted by a burn ban.
- In common areas: Wood or charcoal fires are allowed only in the approved community fire rings and grills (e.g., at Rainbow Park and at the barbecue pavilion near the pool), and only when not restricted by a burn ban.
- Not allowed at any time: Burn barrels or fire pits used to burn wood, trash, or yard debris.
- Not allowed: Weed-burning equipment
