OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is extending a burn ban in Kittitas County because stagnant air conditions are not improving.
Ecology’s Stage 2 burn ban for Kittitas County is remain in effect until at least 10 a.m. Friday (Jan. 7, 2011). The Stage 2 ban applies to use of all wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces, and to all outdoor burning.
Under a Stage 2 ban:
* Use of all types of fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts is prohibited
unless they are a home’s only source of heat.
* All outdoor burning – including residential, agricultural and forest
burning – is prohibited.
The National Weather Service has issued an air stagnation advisory for much of Eastern Washington.
Smoke from outdoor burning, wood stoves and fireplaces is likely to build up where cold air is trapped near the ground. Fine particles in smoke are so small they can easily get into your lungs. Once there, they can cause heart and breathing problems, and even death. Children, people with asthma and respiratory illnesses, and adults older than 65 are most at risk. 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.
A 2009 Ecology analysis estimates that fine particles contribute to about 1,100 deaths and $190 million in health-care costs each year in Washington. (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0902021.pdf)
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. Ecology recommends that people limit vehicle trips, combine errands or use public transportation to reduce air pollution.
You can track air quality in your area by using the Washington Air
Quality Advisory (WAQA). This is Ecology’s tool for informing people about the health effects of air pollution, including fine particles. It’s very similar to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s national information tool, the Air Quality Index (AQI). Both use color-coded categories to show when air quality is good, moderate or unhealthy. (https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/Default.htm).
The difference is that WAQA shows that air quality is unhealthy earlier, when fewer fine particles are in the air. For more information, see this Ecology focus sheet. (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0802022.pdf)
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Media Contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager,
360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell; seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov
See a list of certified wood stoves and clean burning tips
(http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/indoor_woodsmoke/wood_smoke_page.htm)
We make every effort to ensure that all burn ban announcements and restrictions are posted. Always call or visit your county and local clean air agency and check the DNR fire danger for the most current information.
Find out more information about RCW 70.94.473, WAC 173-425 and important key terms.
Your statement can be conflicting. AllTYPES OF FIREPLACES. Gas Fireplaces? Many people are confused by what a burn ban means when it comes to heating there home. Be more specific.
The ban applies to devices that burn wood and produce wood smoke, which contains harmful fine particles. Since gas fireplaces do not burn wood, they are not affected by the burn ban.
Is it possible to get e-mail updates when the burn-ban status changes in Kittitas County?
WA Burn Bans does not have a listserv at this time. However, WA Listserv (http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A0=WA-AQ-HEALTH-BURN-BANS) has the support of all local air agencies and government. I would recommend that you sign up for this service to receive burn ban notifications. The only caveat is that you will receive notification of EVERY burn ban in the state.
As an alternative, you can subscribe to the WA Burn Bans RSS feed at http://waburnbans.net/recent-burn-bans/category/kittitas/feed/. The feed will provide you with information only for Kittitas County.