More protective standards may trigger more burn bans

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - January 14, 2009

09-014

More protective standards may trigger more burn bans

YAKIMA – More protective air quality standards mean burn bans will be called more frequently than in the past in Eastern Washington this winter.

The 2008 Washington Legislature authorized the more restrictive requirements to align with new air quality health standards adopted in late 2006 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The new burn ban requirements are expected to more effectively clear out the air and protect public health during wintertime air stagnations.

“The mountainous terrain of our state contributes to air stagnation in our valleys,” explained Clint Bowman, a meteorologist with the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). “With increasing frequency, many places suffer from poor air quality – putting people’s health at risk.”

Burn bans are called in stages:

Stage 1 Burn Bans are called based on weather conditions and rising pollution levels. No burning is allowed in wood-burning fireplaces, uncertified woodstoves or uncertified fireplace inserts, unless it is your only source of heat.
Stage 2 Burn Bans are called when fine particle pollution levels reach a “trigger value” set by state law. No burning is allowed in any wood-burning fireplace, woodstove or fireplace insert, unless it is your only source of heat.

During both Stage 1 and Stage 2 burn bans, all outdoor burning is prohibited -- including agricultural and forest burning -- even in areas where outdoor burning isn’t permanently banned.

Under the new standards, Ecology is likely to call more wintertime burn bans in the counties where the agency regulates air quality. Those include Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman counties. In Eastern Washington, regional air authorities in Benton, Spokane and Yakima counties also may call burn bans. EPA calls burn bans for tribal lands. Since Nov. 15, under the new standards, Ecology has issued burn bans in Chelan, Kittitas, Pend Oreille, Stevens and Walla Walla counties.

Violations of these burn bans can result in enforcement actions, including penalties. More information is available at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/Burn_Ban.htm.

Ecology offers education about clean burning and programs to replace old, dirty home-heating devices in communities with high levels of fine particle pollution. Since 2007, Ecology has provided nearly $2 million to help replace old devices.

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Graphic illustration: www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2009news/images/burn_emissions.gif

Media Contacts:
Seth Preston, communications manager, Air Quality Program, 360-407-6848
Joye Redfield-Wilder, communications manager, Central Region, 509-575-2610
Jani Gilbert, communications manager, Eastern Region, 509-329-3495
Cathy Cochrane, communications manager, Eastern Region, 509-329-3433

More information on burn ban regulations:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6753&year=2007
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70.94.473