January 9, 2012
As of 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 09, 2012:
The Stage 1 Burn Ban recently declared for Upper and Lower Yakima County has now beenupgraded to a Stage 2 Burn Ban.
- To avoid reaching very unhealthy levels we are requiring a Stage 2 Burn Ban.
- PM2.5 levels have remained elevated today and are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) in Upper Valley and Unhealthy (Red) in Lower Valley.
- A strong inversion layer is expected to last throughout today, allowing PM2.5 levels to continue accumulating in the Yakima County airshed.
- Conditions are expected to improve a great deal tomorrow and we will re-evaluate the Burn Ban status again tomorrow morning.
Please Note: Restrictions may differ within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Reservation. The Yakama Nation is addressing air quality issues in conjunction with the EPA, under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR). For up-to-date information there, please call 1-800-424-4EPA (1-800-424-4372) 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 .
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.