WA Burn Bans

09-298

Ecology issues burn ban for Walla Walla =
County

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

Ecology’s =
Stage 1 burn
ban for Walla Walla County is effective from 4 p.m. today until at least =
4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009. Ecology may extend the ban until Monday and =
residents
are advised to check local media reports, the daily burn decision =
hotline
(1-800-406-5322) and

www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/burn_ban.htm

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.

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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_pa=
ge.htm.

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Media Contact:  Dan =
Partridge,
Ecology communications manager, 360-407-7139; cell phone, 360-480-5722; =
e-mail:
dpar461@ecy.wa.gov=