(Seattle, Wash. – November 3, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has called a burn ban on all outdoor burning on the Yakama Reservation through Monday, November 7. This is due to monitor readings approaching a level that can have a health impact on sensitive populations combined with a stagnant air situation setting up in the Yakima Valley. Continuation of the burn ban will be reviewed on Monday, November 7.
The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning, including camping and recreational fires within reservation boundaries. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the outdoor burn ban.
EPA also requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution, including excess driving and idling of vehicles, and the use of woodstoves and fireplaces, unless it is your only source of heat.
Air pollution can have significant health impacts. Cooperation from the community will help people who are at risk during this period. Those most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with difficulty breathing and with heart and lung problems. Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.