Contact: Gary Olson, 206-553-0977, olson.gary@epa.gov Keith Rose, 206-553-1949, rose.keith@epa.gov, (Seattle, Wash. – December 18, 2009)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has called a continuation of the burn ban on all outdoor burning on the Yakama reservations in Washington due to continuing stagnant air conditions in the region. EPA will reassess the need to continue or terminate this burn ban on Monday, December 21.

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 respiratory, cardiac or pulmonary diseases. Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.

Please call 1-800-424-4EPA and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm. NOTES TO MEDIA: Please repeat this message throughout your broadcasting day and weather portions of your newscast.

Gary Olson OAWT Suite 900 EPA Region 10 1200 6th Ave Seattle, WA 98101 206-553-0977

(Seattle, Wash. – December 16, 2009)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has called a continuation of the burn ban on all outdoor burning on the Yakama reservations in Washington due to continuing stagnant air conditions in the region.   EPA will reassess the need to continue or terminate this burn ban on a daily basis through Friday.

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 respiratory, cardiac or pulmonary diseases.  Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.

Please call 1-800-424-4EPA and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm.

NOTES TO MEDIA:  Please repeat this message throughout your broadcasting day and weather portions of your newscast.

Gary Olson
OAWT  Suite 900
EPA Region 10
1200 6th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
206-553-0977

(Seattle, Wash. – December 14, 2009)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has called a continuation of the burn ban on all outdoor burning on the Yakama reservations in Washington due to continuing stagnant air conditions as a high pressure system remains in the region.   EPA will reassess the need to continue or terminate this burn ban on Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The burn ban for the following Reservation has been discontinued as of 10 AM Monday, December 14, 2009

Muckleshoot Reservation, Washington
Nisqually Reservation, Washington
Port Gamble Reservation, Washington
Puyallup Reservation, Washington
Stillaguamish Reservation, Washington
Port Madison Reservation, Washington
Tulalip Reservation, Washington

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 respiratory, cardiac or pulmonary diseases.  Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.

Please call 1-800-424-4EPA and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm.

NOTES TO MEDIA:  Please repeat this message throughout your broadcasting day and weather portions of your newscast.

Gary Olson
OAWT  Suite 900
EPA Region 10
1200 6th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
206-553-0977

EPA Continues Outdoor Burn Ban for Indian Reservations in Washington

Contact:
Gary Olson, 206-553-0977, olson.gary@epa.gov
Keith Rose, 206-553-1949, rose.keith@epa.gov,

(Seattle, Wash. – December 11, 2009)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has called a continuation of the burn ban on all outdoor burning on the following reservations in Washington due to continuing stagnant air conditions as a high pressure system remains in the region.   EPA will reassess the need to continue or terminate this burn ban on Monday, December 14.

The burn ban will be in effect for December 11 through December 14 for the following reservations:

Muckleshoot Reservation, Washington
Nisqually Reservation, Washington
Port Gamble Reservation, Washington
Puyallup Reservation, Washington
Stillaguamish Reservation, Washington
Port Madison Reservation, Washington
Tulalip Reservation, Washington
Yakama Reservation, Washington

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 respiratory, cardiac or pulmonary diseases.  Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.

Please call 1-800-424-4EPA and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm.

NOTES TO MEDIA:  Please repeat this message throughout your broadcasting day and weather portions of your newscast.

Gary Olson
OAWT  Suite 900
EPA Region 10
1200 6th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
206-553-0977

OLYMPIA – Worsening air quality is prompting a ban on unnecessary use of uncertified wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces, and on all outdoor burning in Chelan and Douglas counties. Smoke from outdoor burning, wood stoves and fireplaces is likely to build up where cold air is trapped near the ground. People can easily breathe fine particles in smoke deep into their lungs, where the particles can damage sensitive tissues, according to the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). Ecology’s Stage 1 burn ban for Chelan and Douglas counties will continue until at least 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. For updates, check local media reports and Ecology’s daily burn decision hotline (1-800-406-5322).

Under a Stage 1 ban: • Use of fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves and uncertified inserts is prohibited unless they are a home’s sole source of heat. • 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. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution should limit the time they spend outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults over age 65. Ecology recommends that people limit vehicle trips, combine errands or use public transportation to reduce air pollution.

For a list of certified wood stoves and clean-burning tips, see http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/wood_smoke_page.htm.

### Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov