style=3D'color:#1F497D'>
style=3D'color:#1F497D'>
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:=
Seth (ECY)
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:10 PM
To: WA-AQ-HEALTH-BURN-BANS@LISTSERV.WA.GOV
Subject: Ecology extends burn ban for Chelan, Douglas =
counties
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – =
Dec. 11, 2009
09-288
=
style=3D'font-family:Consolas'>Ecology
extends burn ban for Chelan, Douglas counties
style=3D'font-family:Consolas'>OLYMPIA
– The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is extending a =
burn ban in
Chelan and Douglas counties.
=
=
The Stage
1 burn ban on unnecessary use of uncertified wood stoves, inserts and
fireplaces, and on all outdoor burning, is extended to 10 a.m. Sunday, =
Dec. 13.
It originally was scheduled to expire Saturday =
morning.
=
=
Cold air
continues to trap smoke from wood-burning devices close to the ground =
where
people can easily breathe it. Fine particles in smoke penetrate deep =
into the
lungs, where they can damage sensitive tissues.
=
=
Forecasts
show that weather conditions should improve enough on Sunday to clear =
out the
air, according to Ecology staff.
=
=
For
updates, check local media reports, Ecology’s daily burn decision =
hotline
(1-800-406-5322) or
_woodsmoke/burn_ban.htm
=
=
Under a
Stage 1 ban:
=
• Use of fireplaces, =
uncertified wood
stoves and uncertified inserts is prohibited unless they are a =
home’s sole
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
woodsmoke/wood_smoke_page.htm
=
=
###
Media Contact: Seth Preston, =
Ecology
communications manager, 360-407-6848; 360-584-5744 cell;
style=3D'font-family:Consolas'>seth.preston@ecy.wa.gov
Seth Preston
Communications Manager
Air Quality & Toxics Cleanup =
Programs
Washington Department of Ecology
(360) 407-6848
(360) 584-5744