Don’t Even Think About Burning Anything In This Weather

Poor air quality combined with the hot temperatures and low humidity has resulted in a stage one burn ban in Yakima County called by the Yakima Regional Clean Air Authority. The Burn Ban is in addition to the Fire Safety Burn Ban declared by the Governor’s Office. 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.
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 <http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm> .