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

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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. Air stagnation is possible throughout the winter and early spring. 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. The current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available via the links on the right. To learn about the health effects of air pollution, check out the American Lung Association of Washington’s Web site at www.alaw.org.

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 substantial change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, yet that’s not forecast to occur until early Sunday.

While pollution levels in Thurston County 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 http://www.orcaa.org/sections/woodstove-program/

·       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. The current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available via the links on the right.

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

For more information, visit www.orcaa.org or call (360) 539-7610

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 early Sunday.

While pollution levels in Thurston County 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 http://www.orcaa.org/sections/woodstove-program/
• 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. The current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available via the links on the right.

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

For the latest news in ORCAA’s Six County Jurisdiction, please sign up for ORCAA’s email alerts to get latest news and updates: www.orcaa.org or call (360) 539-7610

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. Air stagnation is possible throughout the winter and early spring. 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 “Woodstoves” links in the left menu bar.

• 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. The current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available via the links on the right. To learn about the health effects of air pollution, check out the American Lung Association of Washington’s Web site at www.alaw.org.

For additional information, feel free to contact ORCAA during business hours (M-F, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) at (360) 539-7610.

While pollution levels in Thurston County warrant the Stage Two 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 outdoor burning as well as from the use of 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.

During a Stage 2 burn ban, the following restrictions are in place:

*     No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.

*     If your fireplace, pellet stove, or wood stove is your only adequate source of heat and therefore must be used, you must operate it cleanly. No visible smoke is allowed.

*     No outdoor fires of any kind are allowed. This includes recreational fires as well as the use of backyard fire kettles, chimineas or firepits.

*     Burn ban violations are subject to a monetary penalty.

During a Stage 2 ban, residents may use natural gas and propane appliances.

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:

• Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round. Try to link trips – that is, do all your tasks during one outing rather than make multiple trips away from home.
• Reduce engine  idling. Rather than pre-starting your vehicle to warm it up, wear a warm jacket and gloves during your drive until the interior warms up. Idling hurts engines and creates high levels of air pollution with no benefit (idling = 0 mpg).
• 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. For additional information, contact ORCAA, (360) 539-7610

Outdoor burning is prohibited year-round for residents within the cities of Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey, as well as for county residents within the Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundary. The restrictions on outdoor burning during the summer and early autumn has resulted in a significant drop in brush fires and property damage each of the past couple years, according to fire officials.

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Though temperatures have cooled off since the days of triple digits, the fire safety burn bans remain in effect throughout ORCAA’s six-county jurisdiction. The current bans were implemented by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and county fire agencies because of the threat of wildfires.

The fire danger remains moderate to high throughout Washington state – including in the Olympic Region – because of the lack of moisture this summer. Little rainfall over the last couple months means forests and fields loaded with dry fuel. As a result, the fire safety burn bans remain in effect. The bans will NOT BE LIFTED until the fire dangers diminish, meaning fall at the earliest when autumn rains return.

ORCAA offers several suggestions on Alternatives to Burning yard waste. You can find those options here:

Alternatives to Outdoor Burning

Grays Harbor County
Thurston County
Port Angeles
Port Townsend
Shelton

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For more information about the burn status in your county, visit DNR’s fire safety page here.

For additional information, please contact Olympic Region Clean Air Agency at 1-800-422-5623.