EPA Continues Outdoor Burn Ban only for the Yakama Reservation
Contact:
Gary Olson, 206-553-0977, olson.gary@epa.gov
Keith Rose, 206-553-1949, rose.keith@epa.gov,
(Seattle, Wash. – December 16, 2009) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has called a continuation of the burn ban on all outdoor burning on the Yakama reservations in Washington due to continuing stagnant air conditions in the region. EPA will reassess the need to continue or terminate this burn ban on a daily basis through Friday.
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 at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm.
NOTES TO MEDIA: Please repeat this message throughout your broadcasting day and weather portions of your newscast.
Gary Olson
OAWT Suite 900
EPA Region 10
1200 6th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
206-553-0977