January 12, 2010 – EPA Region 10 has called a burn ban on all outdoor burning for the Yakama Reservation due to stagnant air conditions in the region. This burn ban will be in place until further notice and will be reviewed daily.
Under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations, EPA has the authority to call burn bans on reservations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. When an EPA burn ban is in place it 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. There are also somereservations that have delegation to call their own burn bans and no burn days.
During burn bans, EPA requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution, including excess driving and vehicle idling, 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.
Contact: Gary Olson (olson.gary@epa.gov) at 206-553-0977, or Keith Rose (rose.keith@epa.gov) at 206-553-1949.
Notes to media: Please repeat this message throughout your broadcasting day and weather portions of your newscast.
To receive burn ban announcements by email, please contact Gary Olson (olson.gary@epa.gov) at (206) 553-0997.
We make every effort to ensure that all burn ban announcements and restrictions are posted. Always call or visit your county and local clean air agency and check the DNR fire danger for the most current information.
Find out more information about RCW 70.94.473, WAC 173-425 and important key terms.