Stage 2 Burn Ban in Issued for The Yakima Valley

The Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency has issued a stage 2 burn ban for both the Upper and Lower Yakima Valley.

Officials said they called for the ban because of poor ventilation, dispersion and a low level inversion for the valley.

During a Stage 2 Burn Ban:

1. All Outdoor Burning, including Agricultural burning, is prohibited;

2. The use of any fireplace, wood stove or fireplace insert is prohibited unless it is the only adequate means of heating a home;

3. No excessive smoke (over 20% opacity) is allowed from any solid-fuel burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up; (note: the most commonly-used “solid fuels” are wood, pellets, manufactured logs, and coal.)

4. All violations of the burn ban are subject to civil penalty.