In Effect July 15 – September 30, 2010

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced there will be a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands July 15, 2010, through September 30, 2010. This means all forestlands in Washington except for federal lands.

“The threat of wildfires from escaped outdoor burning is high during the summer months due to unusual fire danger,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “Wildfires are dangerous for people and property and result in large expenditures of public funding that can be avoided through prudent actions to prevent them.”

The ban applies to all outdoor burning, including currently permitted burns, with the following exceptions:

1. Recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal or other campgrounds, or
2. DNR-approved prescribed fire, implemented to enhance or restore fire-dependent ecosystems and forest health, when enhancement and restoration by prescribed fire can only be accomplished successfully during the period of time from July 15th, 2010, through September 30th, 2010, or
3. As approved in writing by DNR when there are compelling reasons for an exception.

The use of gas and propane self-contained stoves and barbeques will continue to be allowed under the ban.

This burn ban takes precedence over and supersedes all other burn bans currently in effect on forestlands except federal lands.

Media Contact: Janet Pearce, Communications and Outreach, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov

source

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Dec. 21, 2009
09-295

Burn ban for Kittitas
County expires

OLYMPIA – A burn ban in Kittitas County expires at 10 a.m. today
(Monday, Dec. 21).

Last week, worsening air quality conditions led the Washington
Department of Ecology (Ecology) to issue a Stage 1 burn ban on
unnecessary use of uncertified wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces, and
on all outdoor burning.

Cold, stagnant air traps pollution, including smoke from burning
wood, close to the ground. Fine particles in smoke penetrate deep into
the lungs, where they can damage sensitive tissues.

Air movement is improving in Kittitas County, which will help
clear out smoke, according to Ecology staff.

For news on any future burn bans, check local media reports,
Ecology’s daily burn decision hotline (1-800-406-5322) or
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/burn_ban.htm.

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

###

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

Ecology’s Stage 1 burn ban for Kittitas County is effective immediately and will continue until at least 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21. The Stage 1 ban applies to unnecessary use of uncertified wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces, and to all outdoor burning.

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.

For updates, check local media reports, Ecology’s daily burn decision hotline (1-800-406-5322) and
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/burn_ban.htm.

Under a Stage 1 ban:

• Use of fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves and uncertified inserts is
• prohibited unless they are a home’s only 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/indoor_woodsmoke/wood_smoke_page.htm.

Ecology issues burn ban for Kittitas County

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is
issuing a burn ban in Kittitas County because of worsening air quality.

Ecology’s Stage 1 burn ban for Kittitas County is effective
immediately and will continue until at least 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21.
The Stage 1 ban applies to unnecessary use of uncertified wood stoves,
inserts and fireplaces, and to all outdoor burning.

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.

For updates, check local media reports, Ecology’s daily burn
decision hotline (1-800-406-5322) and
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/burn_ban.htm.

Under a Stage 1 ban:

* Use of fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves and uncertified inserts is
prohibited unless they are a home’s only 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/indoor_woodsmoke/wood_smoke_page.htm.

###

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

Seth Preston
Communications Manager
Air Quality & Toxics Cleanup Programs
Washington Department of Ecology
(360) 407-6848
(360) 584-5744

The contact number for more information is 1-800-406-5322.  The Front Desk telephone number for CRO is 509-575-2490.

Fire District 6 is Still in a complete burn ban. NO outside fires of ANY type permitted. Propane BBQ’s are the only open flame permitted. This covers ALL of Fire District 6 from Roslyn border to Timber Cove on Salmon La Sac rd.

Contact Kittitas fire districts 2 and 4 for specific information.

Contact Ecology for local agricultural burning permits at 509-575-2490 or check the list-serv at http://listserv.wa.gov/archives/burn-decision-cro.html