Air Time: Ecology calls burn bans in 4 counties

Today (Jan. 15, 2013) Ecology issued Stage 1 burn bans in Kittitas, Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties. The bans take effect immediately.

Ecology’s Stage 1 burn bans for those counties will continue until further notice. A Stage 1 ban applies to the use of uncertified wood-burning devices (including wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces) and to all outdoor burning.

Ecology’s burn bans do not apply on tribal reservations, where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has jurisdiction.

Smoke from outdoor burning and wood-burning devices builds up where cold air is trapped near the ground. Fine particles in smoke are so small they can easily get into your lungs. Once there, they can cause heart and breathing problems, and even death. Children, people with asthma and respiratory illnesses, and adults older than 65 are most at risk.

Under a Stage 1 ban:

• Use of uncertified wood-burning devices – including fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts – is prohibited unless they are a home’s only adequate source of heat. Uncertified units typically were built before 1990 and lack a certification label on the back of the unit.
• All outdoor burning – including residential, agricultural and forest burning – is prohibited.
• Use of certified wood-burning devices and pellet stoves is allowed. Ecology recommends burning hot fires using only clean, dry wood.
• No excessive smoke is allowed from any wood-burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up.

Burn ban violators are subject to civil penalties. You can report violators by calling Ecology’s smoke complaint hotline (1-866-211-6284).

For burn ban updates:

• Check local media reports.
• Call Ecology’s daily burn decision hotline (1-800-406-5322 in Washington).
• Check Ecology’s burn bans web page (see below).
• Go online to http://www.waburnbans.net.

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse.

Ecology recommends that people limit vehicle trips, combine errands or use public transportation to reduce air pollution.

You can track air quality in your area by using the Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA). This is Ecology’s tool for informing people about the health effects of air pollution, including fine particles. It uses color-coded categories to show when air quality is good, moderate or unhealthy.

For more information:

See a list of certified wood stoves and other information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/indoor_woodsmoke/wood_smoke_page.htm

Tips on getting the most heat from your firewood: http://burndryfirewood.com/

Check for Ecology burn bans: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/Burn_Ban.htm

Washington Air Quality Advisory: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

WAQA fact sheet: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/0802022.pdf

Ecology analysis of fine particles and health: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/publications/0902021.pdf

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