WA Burn Bans

 Monday, December 12, 2011      11:00 a.m.

 Stage 2 Burn Ban Continues in Upper and Lower Yakima County

 Unfortunately, air quality conditions failed to improve enough over the weekend to justify relaxing the current Stage 2 Burn Ban in Yakima County.

•  Air Stagnation Advisory continues, with poor ventilation and dispersion forecasted through Wednesday. (Source: National Weather Station, Pendleton, OR)
• Yakima and Toppenish Air Monitor Values continue at high levels.
• Upper and Lower Yakima County area air quality continues to waiver between UNHEALTHY (Red) and UNHEALTHY for  SENSITIVE GROUPS (Orange).

 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.