OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced there will be a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands July 1, 2011, through September 30, 2011. This means all forestlands in Washington under DNR fire protection; the burn ban does not apply to federal lands.
The threat of wildfires from escaped outdoor burning is high during the summer months due to dry forest vegetation. Each year, DNR strives to keep all wildfires under 10 acres. Last year, DNR had 71 wildfire starts simply from escaped outdoor burn piles, which burned approximately 153 acres.

“Wildfires are dangerous for people and property and result in large expenditures of public funding that can be avoided through prevention,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. The ban will apply to all outdoor burning on DNR-protected forestlands, including currently permitted burns, with the following exceptions:

1. Recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal or other campgrounds, and
2. DNR-approved prescribed fires, 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 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011, and
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.
When implemented, the burn ban will take precedence over and supersede all other burn bans currently in effect on DNR-protected forestlands. The burn ban does not apply to federal lands.

DNR’s wildfire mission
Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 12.7 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned forestlands. DNR is the state’s largest on-call fire department, with over 1,000 employees trained and available to be dispatched to fires as needed. During fire season, this includes over 700 DNR employees who have other permanent jobs with the agency and about 375 seasonal workers. Additionally, Department of Correction inmates participate in the DNR correctional camps program. DNR also participates in Washington’s coordinated interagency approach to firefighting.
Media Contact: Janet Pearce, Communications and Outreach, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov

source: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/News/Pages/2011_05_06_burnban_nr.aspx

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Due to favorable weather patterns and improving air quality conditions, the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) is removing the Stage 1 Burn Ban called for Cowlitz County and Lewis County effective 5:00 p.m. on January 5, 2011. The restrictions on using wood stoves and fireplaces in Cowlitz County and Lewis County will then be lifted. Residents may once again use their wood stoves and fireplaces, but are asked to burn as cleanly as possible. For those who heat with wood, please remember that it is always illegal to produce excess chimney smoke and to smoke out your neighbor. You know you are burning properly when you do not see any smoke coming from your chimney. For more information about cleaner wood burning techniques, please visit www.swcleanair.org/burnclean.html.

Outdoor burning is allowed in Cowlitz and Lewis Counties with the proper permits in areas where burning has not been permanently banned. Burning at any time adds to the air pollution levels in your local neighborhood, and residents are encouraged to seek alternatives to burning throughout the year.

In Clark County, the Stage 2 Burn Ban remains in place due to slower than expected clearing of high levels of air pollution from the last few days. Agency staff will continue to monitor the weather and air quality conditions for signs of sustained improvement. Under the Stage 2 Burn Ban still in effect for Clark County, all wood heating is prohibited, including certified units, unless it is your sole source of heat.

“Contrary to what normally occurs, the light rain in Clark County is not improving our air quality and, thus, we cannot justify lifting the burn ban without a marked and sustained improvement in air quality,” said Bob Elliott, executive director at the Southwest Clean Air Agency.

Founded in 1968, the mission of the Southwest Clean Air Agency is to preserve and enhance the air quality in southwest Washington. Serving the counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum, SWCAA is responsible for protecting the public’s health through the enforcement of federal, state and local air quality standards and regulations.

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VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) is issuing a Stage 1 Burn Ban, effective immediately until further notice for all of Clark, Cowlitz and Lewis Counties, due to elevated levels of fine particulate pollution, a consequence of persistent air stagnation. This means that the use of all fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves and inserts is prohibited until air quality improves and the Stage 1 Burn Ban is lifted.  If burning wood is your only source of heat, you are exempt and we ask that you burn as clean as possible. All outdoor burning is also prohibited during this Stage 1 Burn Ban.

Air quality forecasters expect the stagnation may continue through Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. If air quality continues to deteriorate, SWCAA may have to issue a Stage 2 Burn Ban which would prohibit all wood burning, including fireplaces, certified wood stoves, inserts and pellet stoves. Again, if this is your sole source of heat, you are exempt from these burn bans.

For the most current information or to sign up to receive e-mails about wood stove curtailments, visit our website at www.swcleanair.org. For more information about cleaner wood burning techniques, visit www.swcleanair.org/burnclean.html.

“Clark County is already experiencing a high level of air pollution from wood burning, and pollution levels are rising in Cowlitz and Lewis Counties as well,” said Jackie Brown, air quality specialist. “We are not asking anyone to go without heat, but to use an alternative source of heat if possible until our air quality improves.”

On cold nights with little or no wind, wood smoke pollution can accumulate to levels that are considered unhealthy. Fine particles released by smoke from wood stoves, fireplaces and other burning are of concern because they can reach deep into the lungs. Episodes of high fine particle pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing and make lung and heart problems worse.

These curtailments occur in two progressive stages as needed:

Stage 1: The use of all fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves and inserts is banned when pollution is forecasted to reach unhealthy levels. Uncertified units are typically older than 1990 and lack a certification label on the back of the unit. Certified wood stoves and inserts are allowed during a Stage 1 Burn Ban.

Stage 2: All wood heating is prohibited, including certified units, when the Stage 1 curtailment has not reversed the increasing pollution trend and weather conditions still indicate a high risk for exceeding air quality health standards.

These curtailments will not apply to homes with no other source of adequate heat. All outdoor burning is also banned during these burn bans.

Tips for Cleaner Burning:

The most complete and effective way to reduce wood smoke pollution is to use another form of heat. If you must use wood, or choose to do so when local rules permit, the following recommendations can help diminish the emissions from your wood stove, fireplace or fireplace insert:

• Only burn dry, seasoned wood. Be sure your firewood has been split and dried for at least one year.
• Never burn wet, painted, stained or treated wood, color newsprint, plastic, garbage, diapers or magazines. Items such as these produce high amounts of odor, smoke and toxic fumes. Burning these materials is illegal and also an excellent way to start a chimney fire.
• Store your firewood under cover. A shed or shelter is best. If you use a plastic tarp, allow ventilation to prevent condensation.
• Burn small, hot fires. This helps the wood burn completely and cleanly.
• Never allow the fire to smolder. Smoldering fires are the worst polluters because they burn at a temperature too low for efficient combustion. The result is more smoke—unburned wood going up the chimney, wasted.
• Do not damper too much. Allow enough air for the wood to burn fully, without smoldering. Never try to keep the fire going overnight by cutting back the air supply. This wastes wood, produces much smoke and creosote and produces little heat.
• Step outside and look at the plume from your chimney. You should see only heat waves. If you can see smoke, your wood is not burning completely. Increase the air supply to your fire.
• Size your wood stove properly. A stove that is too large for the space to be heated will have to be damped down, causing much smoke and wasting wood.
• Do not burn in moderate temperatures. Your stove will tend to overheat your house. You will want to close the dampers to cut back on the heat, which cuts oxygen to the fire, wastes wood and increases pollution.
• Don’t install a wood stove until you have considered other ways to cut heating costs. Insulating and weather stripping can cost less than a stove and will reduce your heating requirements, whether your heat sources is wood, oil, gas or electricity.
• Don’t install an uncertified stove—installation of uncertified stoves is illegal. These stoves are more polluting.

The mission of the Southwest Clean Air Agency, founded in 1968, is to preserve and enhance the air quality in southwest Washington.  Serving the counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum, SWCAA is responsible for protecting the public’s health through the enforcement of federal, state and local air quality standards and regulations.

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Stagnant weather conditions over Lewis County are trapping air pollution at ground level, causing local air pollution levels to rise. Air quality forecasters do not expect the stagnation to clear out until Thursday afternoon.

The Southwest Clean Air Agency encourages residents to postpone their outdoor burning projects, if possible, until favorable weather patterns return. Those who heat their homes with wood are asked to burn as clean as possible, using only dry, seasoned firewood. For clean burning tips, visit www.swcleanair.org/burnclean.html.

“Lewis County residents may have noticed increased smoke in their neighborhoods yesterday,” remarked Randy Peltier, operations manager of the Southwest Clean Air Agency. “During an inversion such as we are experiencing, air pollution from fine particulate matter gets trapped and builds up as people continue to use their wood stoves and burn their yard or land clearing debris.”

“Please be aware of the conditions in your area if you need to burn, said Jackie Brown, air quality specialist. “If the smoke is not dispersing or we have foggy, dry conditions, it’s not a good idea to burn.”

Fine particles released by smoke from wood stoves, fireplaces, outdoor burning and automobiles are of concern because they can reach deep into the lungs. 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.

Founded in 1968, the mission of the Southwest Clean Air Agency is to preserve and enhance the air quality in southwest Washington.  Serving the counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum, SWCAA is responsible for protecting the public’s health through the enforcement of federal, state and local air quality standards and regulations.

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However, your specific county or fire district may have existing seasonal bans in place. Contact your local air authority and fire district to determine if burn restrictions still exist in your area. Locate the telephone number and/or website for your air authority here.

Visit the WA DNR web site for more information :

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