WA Burn Bans

The current Stage 2 Burn Ban in Upper Yakima County and the Stage 1 Burn Ban in Lower Yakima County are REMOVED effective 9:00 A.M. today, Wednesday, January 06, 2010.   This applies to (indoor) home heating activity only. Thankfully, conditions have improved, at least temporarily. Ventilation is fair today and may be weakening again by Friday.  Agricultural burning remains restricted.

YRCAA wishes to extend congratulations and thanks to all persons, families and businesses who, through understanding and cooperation helped us achieve an earlier end to this curtailment than we anticipated.

“We can’t do it without your assistance.”

Reminder:

No Residential Outdoor Burning is allowed from October 15^th through March 14^th.

Please Note: This applies to all areas of Yakima County except for the area within the external boundaries of the Yakama Indian Reservation, which is overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, and falls under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) regulations.  For more information, visit their Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm .

AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION: Please Note – NO Agricultural Burn Allocations will be authorized for the time being.

REMEMBER:

To receive Authorization and an Allocation for Agricultural Burning you must:

1.  Have a current Agricultural Burn Permit on file with YRCAA, and:

2.  Either call YRCAA in the afternoon prior to the day you wish to burn for confirmation of an allocation to burn, IF you wish to burn as early as permitted on the day you wish to burn (30 minutes after sunrise). OR,

3.  Call YRCAA after 9:00 A.M. on the morning of the day you wish to burn for confirmation of an allocation to burn.  You may not initiate burning until such confirmation has been determined by YRCAA, and an allocation issued.

For further information on Continuing Conditions and Burn Ban Status, please check the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency website at:  http://www.yakimacleanair.org or call the YRCAA office at:  (509) 834-2050

UPPER YAKIMA COUNTY – remains in a STAGE 2 BURN BAN and in LOWER YAKIMA COUNTY –  A STAGE 1 BURN BAN is DECLARED

Explanation: The Air Pollution Control Officer of the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency (YRCAA) has declared this burn ban due to impaired air quality and associated adverse health effects caused by high levels of fine particulate. The high levels of fine particulate, caused primarily by wood stoves and outdoor burning, are trapped close to the ground by persistent inversion and/or inadequate ventilation.

While most of Yakima County experienced strong winds Friday evening, there were insufficient winds in Yakima City to clear out the stagnate air.  This appears to be a localized event, where the worst air quality was in Yakima City and in the close surrounding areas in the Upper Valley.  Monitor values in Yakima increased significantly this weekend requiring a Stage 2 Burn Ban to be put back on for Upper Yakima County.  Air Quality Conditions are poor throughout Yakima County today.

YRCAA staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine if and when the burn ban can be lifted.

Please check our website for the latest information:

http://www.yakimacleanair.org , or call the YRCAA office at (509) 834-2050

Please Note: This applies to all areas of Yakima County except for Yakama Indian Reservation lands, which are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations Regulations (FARR). For more information, visit the FARR website at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm .

The Air Pollution Control Officer strongly encourages all Yakima County residents to refrain from burning until air quality improves and the risk to public health is diminished.

The current Stage 2 Burn Ban will be REMOVED effective 12:00 P.M. tomorrow, Friday, January 01, 2010 for Yakima County.   This applies to (indoor) home heating activity only.  No Agricultural Burning will be approved over the weekend.

YRCAA wishes to extend congratulations and thanks to all persons, families and businesses who, through understanding and cooperation helped us achieve an end to this long period of curtailment. 

“We can’t do it without your assistance.”

Reminder:

No Residential Outdoor Burning is allowed from October 15^th through March 14^th.

Please Note: This applies to all areas of Yakima County except for Yakama Indian Reservation lands, which are overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, and fall under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) regulations.   For more information, visit their Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm .

AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION: Please Note – NO Agricultural Burn Allocations will be authorized over the weekend (January 1^st  thru Sunday, January 3^rd, 2010)

To receive Authorization and an Allocation for Agricultural Burning you must:

1.  Have a current Agricultural Burn Permit on file with YRCAA, and:

2.  Either call YRCAA in the afternoon prior to the day you wish to burn for confirmation of an allocation to burn, IF you wish to burn as early as permitted on the day you wish to burn (30 minutes after sunrise). OR,

3.  Call YRCAA after 9:00 A.M. on the morning of the day you wish to burn for confirmation of an allocation to burn.  You may not initiate burning until such confirmation has been determined by YRCAA, and an allocation issued.

For further information on Continuing Conditions and Burn Ban Status, please check the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency website at:  http://www.yakimacleanair.org  or call the YRCAA office at:  (509) 834-2050

Effective 9:00 AM today, Wednesday, December 30, 2009, the Stage 1 Burn Ban currently in  place is UPGRADED to a STAGE 2 BURN BAN for all of Yakima County (except for areas within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Indian Reservation) – 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 upgrade due to impaired air quality and associated adverse health effects caused by higher levels of fine particulate. The high levels of fine particulate, caused primarily by wood stoves and outdoor burning, are trapped close to the ground by persistent inversion and/or inadequate ventilation.  This Burn Ban is expected to extend into Friday morning.

YRCAA staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine if and when the burn ban can be modified or lifted.

Please check our website for the latest information:

http://www.yakimacleanair.org , or call the YRCAA office at (509) 834-2050

Please Note: This applies to all areas of Yakima County except for Yakama Indian Reservation lands, which are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations Regulations (FARR). For more information, visit the FARR website at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm .

During a Stage 2 Burn Ban:

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.

The Air Pollution Control Officer strongly encourages all Yakima County residents to refrain from burning until air quality improves and the risk to public health is diminished.

Effective 3:00 PM today, Monday, December 28^th, 2009, the current Stage 1 Burn Ban is continued through at least Wednesday, December 30^th, 4 PM for Yakima County area (except Yakama Indian Reservation lands, as described below).

Explanation: The Air Pollution Control Officer of the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency (YRCAA) has continued this burn ban due to air stagnation in the Yakima area.  Fine particulate levels are likely to increase and cause impaired air quality and associated adverse health effects.  Fine particulate, caused primarily by wood stoves and outdoor burning, are trapped close to the ground by persistent inversion and/or inadequate ventilation.

Air quality may worsen, as the National Weather Service in Pendleton, Oregon has declared an AIR STAGNATION EVENT for this area, which is projected to continue at least into Wednesday afternoon. YRCAA staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine if and when the burn ban can be lifted or elevated to a Stage 2 Burn Ban.

Please check our website for the latest information:

http://www.yakimacleanair.org , or call the YRCAA office at (509) 834-2050

Please Note: This applies to all areas of Yakima County except for Yakama Indian Reservation lands, which are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations Regulations (FARR). For more information, visit the FARR website at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm .

During a Stage 1 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.

The Air Pollution Control Officer strongly encourages all Yakima County residents to refrain from burning – even those legally able to do so – until air quality improves and the risk to public health is diminished.