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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Jan. 31, 2000
00-010
Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610
YAKIMA - Residents of the greater-Wenatchee area will have seven days this year on which they may burn natural vegetation in outdoor fires.
Working together, local fire districts and Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) have established new rules for outdoor burning for the year 2000 in response to a need for an interim program before burning is banned next year. Agricultural burning is not affected by this change.
This year, outdoor burning will be allowed on May 13, May 14, May 20, May 21,
Oct. 7, Oct. 8 and Oct. 14, in the cities of Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Rock
Island and the urban growth areas surrounding those cities.
"Instead of getting a permit for outdoor fires from their local fire department,
residents will be allowed to burn on these days, but only these days, without a
written permit," explained Chief Dave Mathews of Chelan County Fire District No.
1.
The Washington Clean Air Act calls for outdoor burning to be phased out by Dec. 31 of this year in urban growth areas and in cities with a population greater than 10,000. The city of Wenatchee was scheduled to voluntarily phase out burning one year earlier than the Washington Clean Air Act required.
"Over the past several years, Wenatchee residents have had fewer and fewer days to burn," said city Fire Marshal Stan Smoke. "We originally planned for burning to be banned inside the city limits already, but instead we have opted to participate in this program with Ecology and the surrounding fire districts. This will allow for some limited burning before the state-mandated burn ban."
"This type of permit program is used in other parts of the state and is a good program for the citizens of our fire district," said Wayne Barnhart, chief of Douglas County Fire District No. 2. "It makes perfect sense for the citizens of the greater-Wenatchee area to all have the same burn rules, and it relieves the fire district from much of the workload associated with running a permit program."
In addition to burning only on the designated days, there are other rules. Outdoor fires must be attended at all times by someone able to extinguish the fire. Only natural vegetation such as yard waste may be burned. Do not burn garbage, dead animals, asphalt, petroleum products, plastics, paper, cardboard, treated wood, construction/demolition debris, metal or any substance (other than natural vegetation) that, when burned, releases toxic emissions, dense smoke or odors.
"We hope this program will provide citizens with a smooth transition from burning to not burning," said Sue Billings, air quality supervisor for Ecology. "We also hope people will learn about local chipping and composting programs as alternative ways to dispose of their yard waste - to help keep the Wenatchee Valley's air clean."
Rules for burning are available at Wenatchee Fire and Rescue, Chelan Co. Fire District No.1 and Douglas Co. Fire District No. 2 fire stations. Commercial agricultural burning activities are not affected by these changes. Farmers who wish to conduct agricultural burning may continue to apply for their agricultural burning permits by calling (509) 456-2926.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
