WA Burn Bans

Effective: 09:30 a.m. PST today, Thursday, December 22, 2011:

A Stage 1 Burn Ban is again being declared for both the Upper and Lower Yakima County areas.

I know, just when we thought we could kick back and enjoy the holiday season we have to put another burn ban in place … how quickly weather conditions and resumed wood burning can turn things around.  On the bright side – hopefully, a Christmas gift to all of us – the poor air quality should clean out on Christmas Day!  Please keep yourself advised of changing burn ban conditions – sign up for our Burn Ban Email Updates on our main web page:  http://www.yakimacleanair.org .

Today’s Stage 1 Burn Ban particulars:

• PM2.5 levels are again elevated and are currently Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) in both the Upper and Lower Yakima County areas.
• Poor ventilation and dispersion are predicted for the next several days with poor surface winds.
• A high pressure ridge is causing a strong upper level inversion to persist through the day today, tomorrow and Saturday.
• This ridge should exit the region on Sunday which should clear out the local airshed with strong surface winds, at least temporarily.
• No Agricultural Burn Allocations will be issued for the duration of the burn ban.
• We will re-evaluate the Burn Ban this afternoon and at regular intervals.

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.

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  .

YRCAA will continue to monitor and evaluate local air quality conditions and projections.

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.

Note: The YRCAA 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.

Thank you for your interest and attention.

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