(Seattle, Wash. – January 6, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has called for a continuation of a burn ban on all outdoor burning on the following reservations because of stagnant air conditions continuing in the region.
- Yakama Reservation, Wash.
- Warm Springs Reservation, Oregon
- Colville Reservation, Wash.
The burn ban will be lifted for the Colville Reservation at 10 AM on Friday, January 7th.
The burn ban will be lifted for the Yakama and Warm Springs Reservation on Saturday, January 8th at 8 AM.
The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning, including camping and recreational fires within reservation boundaries. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the outdoor burn ban.
EPA also requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution, including excess driving and idling of vehicles, and the use of woodstoves and fireplaces, unless it is your only source of heat.
Air pollution can have significant health impacts. Cooperation from the community will help people who are at risk during this period. Those most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory, cardiac or pulmonary diseases. Those at risk should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible.
Please call 1-800-424-4EPA and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status atwww.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm.
Contact:
Gary Olson, 206-553-0977, olson.gary@epa.gov
Keith Rose, 206-553-1949, rose.keith@epa.gov
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.