Burn Ban in Yakima County now Stage 2 Burn Ban

By on January 20, 2011 at 15:13 in Burn Bans, Yakama County, YRCAA

January 20, 2011

DATE:           Thursday, January 20, 2011

 TIME:            2:00 PM

Effective immediately, a Stage 2 Burn Ban is declared for all of Yakima County (except land within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Nation Reservation) until air quality improves.  This includes BOTH the Upper and the Lower Yakima County areas.

 Explanation: The Air Pollution Control Officer of the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency (YRCAA) has declared this burn ban due to increased levels of impaired air quality and potential adverse health effects caused by an air inversion and high levels of fine particulate.

 NO AGRICULTURAL BURNING will be allocated or allowed until further notice.

 YRCAA staff will continue to monitor the air quality to determine when any changes to the current burn ban should be made.  Air Quality conditions can change rapidly.

 Please check our website for the most up-to-date information at: http://www.yakimacleanair.org  or call the YRCAA office at (509) 834-2050.

 Please Note: The jurisdiction of YRCAA covers all of Yakima County, excluding Yakama Nation Reservation lands.  YRCAA recognizes Yakama National Sovereignty, which is addressing air quality issues in conjunction with the EPA, under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR). For more information, call (509) 952-3057.

During a Stage 1 Burn Ban: During a Stage 2 Burn Ban:
  1. All Outdoor Burning, including Agricultural burning, is prohibited;
  2. The use of any fireplace, uncertified wood stove or uncertified fireplace insert is prohibited unless it is the only adequate means of heating a home;
  3. Certified wood stove, certified fireplace insert or pellet stove/insert use is allowed;
  4. No excessive smoke is allowed from any wood burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up; and
  5. All violations of the burn ban are subject to civil penalty.

 
  1. All Outdoor Burning, including Agricultural burning, is prohibited;
  2. The use of any solid-fuel burning fireplace, stove or fireplace insert (including certified devices) is prohibited unless it is the only adequate means of heating a home;

Note: The most commonly used “solid fuels” are wood, manufactured logs, pellets and coal.

  1. No excessive smoke is allowed from any wood burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up; and
  2. All violations of the burn ban are subject to civil penalty.

 
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.

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