WA Burn Bans

Thursday, December 15, 2011    4:00 p.m.

 BURN BAN UPDATE

 News Media: Please distribute for publication – News and Weather.

 Please be advised:

 Poor weather conditions continue to prolong Yakima County Stage 2 Burn Ban

 NWS Air Stagnation Advisory is now forecasted to last through the weekend, possibly into Tuesday, as a strong front moves through the area.

* Poor ventilation and dispersion with minimal winds and an inversion lasting through the weekend with little to no relief.
* PM2.5 levels are currently at Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) for the Upper County Area, and
* PM2.5 levels are currently at Unhealthy (Red) for the Lower County Area.
* This morning’s YRCAA conference call with NWS forecasters and Washington State Air Quality Agencies confirmed the forecasts.
* Another such conference call will be taking place tomorrow (Friday) morning.
* We will lift the Burn Ban as soon as we see indication of continuous improvement.

 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange): Suggests that people with lung and heart disease, stroke diabetes or a current respiratory infection, as well as infants, children and older adults should limit outdoor activity.

 Unhealthy (Red): Suggests that everyone should try and limit outdoor activity.  If possible, people with lung and heart disease, stroke or respiratory infections, as well as infants, children and older adults should stay indoors.

 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.  Restrictions may differ within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Reservation.  The Yakama Nation is addressing air quality issues in conjunction with the EPA, under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR).  For up-to-date information there, please call 1-800-424-4EPA (1-800-424-4372) 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 .

Reminder:

 During a Stage 2 Burn Ban:

1. All Outdoor Burning, including Agricultural burning, is prohibited;
2. The use of any solid-fuel burning fireplace, wood stove or fireplace insert is prohibited unless it is the only adequate means of heating a home; Note: The most commonly used “solid fuels” are wood, manufactured logs, pellets and coal.
3. No excessive smoke is allowed from any wood burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up; and
4. All violations of the burn ban are subject to civil penalty.

Find out more information about RCW 70.94.473, WAC 173-425 and important key terms.