DATE: Thursday, January 20, 2011
TIME: 9:30 AM
Effective immediately, a Stage 1 Burn Ban is declared for all of Yakima County (except land within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Nation Reservation) until air quality improves. This includes BOTH the Upper and the Lower Yakima County areas.
No Agricultural Burning will be approved or allowed until further notice.
Explanation: The Air Pollution Control Officer of the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency (YRCAA) has declared this burn ban due to impaired air quality and potential adverse health effects caused by an air inversion extending over our area, with already high levels of fine particulate in the air and very little opportunity for sufficient ventilation to dilute or move the accumulating pollutants
YRCAA staff will continue to monitor the air quality to determine when any changes to the current burn ban should be made. Air Quality conditions can change rapidly.
Please check our website for the most up-to-date information at: http://www.yakimacleanair.org or call the YRCAA office at (509) 834-2050.
Please Note: The jurisdiction of YRCAA covers all of Yakima County, excluding Yakama Nation Reservation lands. YRCAA recognizes Yakama National Sovereignty, which is addressing air quality issues in conjunction with the EPA, under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR). For more information, call (509) 952-3057.
During a Stage 1 Burn Ban:
- All Outdoor Burning, including Agricultural burning, is prohibited;
- The use of any fireplace, uncertified wood stove or uncertified fireplace insert is prohibited unless it is the only adequate means of heating a home;
- Certified wood stove, certified fireplace insert or pellet stove/insert use is allowed;
- No excessive smoke is allowed from any wood burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up; and
- All violations of the burn ban are subject to civil penalty.
The Air Pollution Control Officer strongly encourages all Yakima County residents to refrain from burning – even those legally able to do so – until air quality improves and the risk to public health is diminished.
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.