WA Burn Bans » Mason County

Burn Bans LIFTED in Thurston & Mason Counties: January 14, 2012

admin — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:00:05 +0000

With today’s change in weather, air quality has improved signficantly allowing Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) to lift the Burn Bans in Thurston and Mason Counties, effective 8 a.m. today (Saturday, January 14, 2012).

ORCAA staff thanks the residents of these counties for the support of, and adherence to, the burn ban while it was in effect. By voluntarily reducing the amount of burning done prior to the implementation of the formal burn ban, residents of ORCAA’s other counties – Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam and Jefferson – where able to minimize pollution in their counties.

Now that the burn bans have been lifted, ORCAA encourages residents to remember that just because you can burn doesn’t mean you should.

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. ORCAA especially encourages residents to resist outdoor burning when possible. When outdoor burning does take place, note that only natural vegetation may be burned. State law prohibits the burning of garbage and home-repair debris at any time. Burn barrels of any kind are also prohibited by state law. Outdoor burning in also prohibited in any Urban Growth Area.

Unregulated outdoor burning of any kind can contribute to poor air quality, but burning garbage and other debris—even scraps of milled wood products—is particularly problematic. Most household garbage contains a great deal of plastics, chemicals, coatings and chemically treated materials. When burned, this garbage and waste material releases toxic fumes and particles into the air. This pollution can cause health problems ranging from eye and respiratory irritation to potential cancers.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) encourages all residents to explore options such as chipping of woody debris, and composting of leaves and grass-clippings rather than burning.

Woodstoves and fireplace inserts used for home heating, meanwhile, should be operated as cleanly as possible. That means allowing adequate airflow into the fire chamber to encourage a hot fire for complete combustion. Choking a fire by turning down the damper creates significant smoke that can impact a neighborhood. Fires should be kept small and hot for most efficient use of your fuel – you’ll save money and save our shared air.

For more information about burn ban regulations, clean home heating and outdoor burning practices, visit www.orcaa.org

Stage 1 Burn Ban called for Thurston & Mason Counties January 11, 2012

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:25:24 +0000

A Stage One Burn Ban is being called for Thurston and Mason Counties effective 4 p.m. today and continuing into the weekend.

Under a Stage 1 Ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and all outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. Additionally, no visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute start-up period. A system of stable, high pressure over Western Washington, coupled with cold overnight temperatures has resulted in air pollution levels climbing enough to raise concerns about the air quality and its impacts on health. A change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, yet that’s not forecast to occur until well into the weekend.

While pollution levels in Thurston & Mason Counties warrants the Stage One Ban, other counties within the jurisdiction of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) haven’t reached that level. To avoid bans in their areas, the residents of Mason, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam and Jefferson Counties are asked to voluntarily refrain from all outdoor burning, and to use safe alternatives to wood heat if possible.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent 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. Olympic Region Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted. In the meantime, here are some other things people can do to help protect the air we breathe:

If you have a certified wood stove or fireplace insert, make sure you are using it properly so you don’t produce excess chimney smoke. Excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques or upgrading to a certified, pellet, natural gas or propane stove, visit http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/.
To determine if your stove is certified, visit www.orcaa.org.
Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round. Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org.

For more information about Burn Ban regulations, you may refer to Chapter 173-433 of the Washington Administrative Code.

Stage 1 Burn Ban Lifted in Thurston and Mason Counties effective December 16, 2011

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:02:51 +0000

Thanks to your efforts to reduce burning and a change in weather, air quality in ORCAA’s jurisdiction has improved substantially. As a result, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency has lifted its Stage 1 Burn Ban in Thurston and Mason Counties, effective immediately. However, Land Clearing burns are still restricted in Thurston and Mason Counties. ORCAA asks citizens to VOLUNTARILY refrain from burning as much as possible, as forecast conditions show periods of heavy stagnation throughout the weekend and early into next week.

To ensure clean, healthful air for all, ORCAA encourages residents to be responsible and to burn only when absolutely necessary even when mandatory restrictions are lifted. Voluntary reductions on indoor and outdoor burning in the region can help prevent elevated air pollution levels and therefore reduce the need for stringent burn restrictions.

People who would like to do their part to ensure clean, healthful air might consider the following simple acts to help protect the air we breathe:

• When possible, do not use any woodstove or fireplace.
• If you do have a fire in a certified stove or fireplace, consider using manufactured logs if you must burn. They are made from recycled wood products and burn cleaner than cut wood.
• Always use your woodstove or fireplace properly to ensure the cleanest burning possible. Remember that excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques and to find a current list of certified woodstoves and fireplaces, visit www.orcaa.org and click on the Programs tab in the top menu and scroll down to Woodstoves.
• Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round.
• Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org.

Stage 1 Burn Ban continues for Thurston & Mason Counties December 15, 2011

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:20:24 +0000

Despite the showers that fell Thursday morning, air pollution levels remained high enough to require the continuation of the Stage 1 ban in Thurston and Mason Counties. To fully cleanse the air, winds are needed to ventilate and remove the pollutants. Forecasts predict those winds for Friday. ORCAA staff continually monitor and evaluate conditions and will update the Burn Ban status as soon as possible.

While pollution levels in Thurston and Mason Counties warrant the Stage One Ban, other counties within the jurisdiction of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) haven’t reached that level. To avoid bans in their areas, the residents of Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam, and Jefferson Counties are asked to voluntarily refrain from all outdoor burning, and to use safe alternatives to wood heat if possible.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to people with lung and heart problems, people with diabetes, children, and older adults (over age 65).

Olympic Region Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted. In the meantime, here are some other things people can do to help protect the air we breathe:
• If you have a certified wood stove or fireplace insert, make sure you are using it properly so you don’t produce excess chimney smoke. Excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques or upgrading to a certified, pellet, natural gas or propane stove, visit http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/.
• To determine if your stove is certified, visit www.orcaa.org .
• Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round. Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org

For more information about Burn Ban regulations, you may refer to Chapter 173-433 of the Washington Administrative Code.

Stage 1 burn ban Mason and Thurston Counties December 12, 2011

admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:25:51 +0000

A Stage One Burn Ban is being called for Thurston & Mason Counties effective 5 p.m. today and continuing at least through the end of the week.

A system of stable, high pressure over Western Washington, coupled with cold overnight temperatures has resulted in air pollution levels climbing enough to raise concerns about the air quality and its impacts on health. A change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, yet that’s not forecast to occur this week.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to people with lung and heart problems, people with diabetes, children, and older adults (over age 65).

• If you have a certified wood stove or fireplace insert, make sure you are using it properly so you don’t produce excess chimney smoke. Excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques or upgrading to a certified, pellet, natural gas or propane stove, visit http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/
• To determine if your stove is certified, visit www.orcaa.org .
• Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round. Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org.

For more information about Burn Ban regulations, you may refer to Chapter 173-433 of the Washington Administrative Code.

Olympic Region Clean Air Agency
2940-B Limited Lane NW
Olympia, Washington 98502