Wood stove roundup: helping to clear wintertime smoke

Volunteers help to unload wood stoves brought in for recycling

It may be hot outside, but that didn't deter folks in Okanogan County from taking advantage of a cashback incentive to recycle old, smoky wood stoves earlier this month. At $250 per stove, limited to two stoves per customer, each person could claim up to $500!

Reducing wintertime air pollution is a priority in the county, where poor ventilation traps wood smoke in mountain valleys, often for days on end.

Our Air Quality Program in Central Washington teamed with Okanogan County, the Methow Valley Clean Air Project and the Okanogan River Airshed Partnership, to sponsor the collection event at the Twisp Transfer Station and the county's Central Landfill, June 5-6.

The results: A total of 74 participants turned in 105 stoves, leading to a payout of $26,250! Translating to a potential reduction of over 2 tons of PM 2.5 emissions, the small particles in smoke that when inhaled lodge in our lungs and can cause respiratory damage.

Participants will receive payment by check in a few weeks, and also got some cool outreach goodies at the events. Additionally, all the stoves turned in will be recycled! Funding was made available through the Woodsmoke Reduction Grant Program to improve air quality in our state's most vulnerable regions.

Stoves of all shapes and sizes

Recent data shows Okanogan County residents are exposed to more smoke, due to wildfires and wood stoves, than people in any other county in the state. While we can't do much about wildfire smoke, it makes sense to reduce other sources of smoke and provide an incentive for cleaner burning alternatives, such as new stoves or switching to gas or electric heat.

Waiting for the crusher and to be recycled

Although this round of buybacks is over, everyone can make a difference. If you own a wood stove, burn only dry, seasoned wood, and consider replacing your older stove with a newer, more efficient model. 

Homeowners can help reduce smoke emissions by composting and chipping instead of burning yard waste (which is illegal in urban growth areas throughout the state).

Please check out our community partner’s pages. They helped by volunteering at this buyback, and are also working with us to sponsor future events and other programs. Use the links below to learn more about their mission and ways you can help keep the air clean!

Also, local clean air agencies may sponsor similar events.

Methow Valley Clean Air Project Facebook

Okanogan River Airshed Partnership (website under development)

Omak Community Clean-up 
Partnership Promoting Clean Air

More wood stove information

Data by county on emissions

Kimi Matsushima checks in a stove to be recycled - from the trunk of  a car!

By Kimi Matsushima, Air Quality Specialist

Central and Eastern Washington: Prepare for dust storm season

Every spring through fall, residents in Central and Eastern Washington are faced with the threat of dust storms. Dry conditions allow strong winds to pick up soil and blow it into vast clouds that can wreak havoc on the health and safety of anyone in their path.

Since the mid-1990s, dust storms have been occurring less frequently in Washington because farmers are using better management practices, such as soil erosion prevention techniques. For example, in the early ‘90s, Kennewick had seven dust storms in just one year! In more recent years, dust storms have become far more rare.

How we help protect you

Ecology and local clean air agencies monitor the air for dust and other types of air pollution. You can track air quality in your area and check on the levels on Ecology’s Air Quality Monitoring site.   

In Washington, we measure air quality using the Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA). The color-coded WAQA categories show when air quality is good, moderate, unhealthy, or hazardous:

Ecology recently finished a High Wind Fugitive Dust Mitigation Plan. In this plan, Ecology will continue to focus on agricultural sources that contribute dust to areas around Kennewick during high wind events. We will convene a High Wind Dust Prevention Workgroup made up of Ecology staff, conservation districts, and the Benton Clean Air Agency. Ecology works with these local partners to promote voluntary, soil erosion prevention practices.

What you can do

When the winds are strong and the ground is parched, it can be hard to avoid dust. However, you can help reduce airborne dust by driving slower on unpaved roads and by postponing projects at home that stir up dust.

How dust storms affect your health 

When inhaled, tiny dust particles can settle deep into your lungs and irritate or damage sensitive tissues in the respiratory system. These tiny particles, known as particulate matter, or PM10, are about one-seventh the size of a human hair. Those most at risk are infants, small children, people with asthma, those with respiratory issues, the elderly, and those who engage in strenuous outdoor activities.

What to do during a dust storm

Protect yourself during a dust storm by:

• Staying indoors as much as possible.
• Closing windows, doors, and vents.
• Covering your nose and mouth.
• Wearing a mask designed to block dust particles.
• Watching for sudden changes in visibility while driving.
• Avoid driving during windy conditions when windblown dust is likely.
• Pulling over and turn on headlights as a safety precaution.

How to be alerted

Sign up for National Weather Service Wireless Emergency Alerts  to receive high wind warnings. Weather.gov has links to a number of alert services.

For more information

Contact the clean air agency for your area:

• Benton Clean Air Agency: 509-783-1304
• Ecology Central Regional Office: 509-575-2490
• Ecology Eastern Regional Office: 509-329-3400
• EPA Region 10 - Tribal Lands: 1-877-424-4372
• Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency: 509-477-4727
• Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency: 509-834-2050

Watch for future stories on: 

• Ecology, Benton County Clean Air Agency, and local conservation districts will meet to discuss efforts to reduce soil erosion and dust sources in Eastern Washington's Horse Heaven Hills.
• Field tours in Benton and Franklin counties to promote and reduce soil erosion. 

By Kim Vaughn, Air Quality Communications