Stage 1 Burn Ban In Affect

A Stage 1 Burn Ban has been declared for both the Upper and Lower Yakima County areas, to remain in place until 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2012.  This burn ban has been called due to poor ventilation, dispersion and a low level inversion for the Yakima Valley.

·        PM2.5 levels are increasing and are Unhealthy (Orange) for the Upper and Moderate (Yellow) for the Lower Valley.

·        Ventilation category is poor.

·        Dispersion category is poor.

·        Weather predictions are for improvement to good ventilation and dispersion by early Saturday morning.

·        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 continue to re-evaluate the Burn Ban status.

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.