WA Burn Bans

Effective 12:00 p.m.., Saturday, Januyary 28, 2012:

A Stage 1 Burn Ban has been declared for both the Upper and Lower Yakima County areas.

• PM2.5 levels are increasing and are currently Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) in Upper County Area and Moderate (Yellow) in the Lower County area, with worsening predictions by this afternoon.
• Weather predictions are for a low-level surface inversion with poor ventilation and dispersion for the next few days, including little or no surface winds; this may cause PM2.5 levels to continue increasing to Unhealthy levels.
• No Agricultural Burning –  allocations are 0 piles per request for both Upper and Lower County Areas while the burn ban is in place.
• We will re-evaluate the Burn Ban status again tomorrow morning.

Please Note:  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 1 Burn Ban:

1. All Outdoor Burning, including Agricultural burning, is prohibited;
2. 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;
3. Certified wood stove, certified fireplace insert or pellet stove/insert use is allowed;
4. No excessive smoke (over 20% opacity) is allowed from any wood burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up; and
5. All violations of the burn ban are subject to civil penalty.

Thank you for your cooperation.

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