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Department of Ecology News Release - Oct. 2, 2000
00-192
YAKIMA - Outdoor burning of yard waste will be allowed for the last time on Oct. 7, 8 and 14, for most residents of the greater-Wenatchee area. So it's a good idea to check with your fire departments or the Washington Department of Ecology before lighting that match.
"Just like last spring, we are running a reduced burning program in the Wenatchee area," said Wenatchee Fire Marshal Stan Smoke. "This program is designed to provide residents with a smooth transition from burning to not burning."
Under the Washington Clean Air Act, yard-waste fires will be banned as of Dec. 31, 2000. Orchard and other agricultural burning will still be allowed by permit, but residential and land-clearing burning will come to an end.
"Cutting back on burning really helps people with breathing problems," said Tom Gash, respiratory director at Central Washington Hospital and president of the Wenatchee Valley Clean Air Coalition. "It helps all of us really, because we have known for a long time that breathing smoke is bad for your health, whether it is from a cigarette or a fire."
"This is a great time to try out some alternatives to burning," said David Schneider, an outreach specialist with Ecology's air program in Yakima. "Chipping, shredding and composting programs are available locally to dispose of yard waste."
Rules for this fall's burn season are available at:
City of Wenatchee Fire and Rescue (509) 664-3950
Chelan County Fire District #1 (509) 662-4734
Douglas County Fire District #2 (509) 884-6671
Dept. of Ecology, Central Region (509) 454-7845
Information on chipping, shredding, and composting are available at:
Chelan County Solid Waste Dept. (509) 664-5415
Douglas County Solid Waste Dept. (509) 886-0899
Dept. of Ecology, Central Region (509) 454-7845
Agricultural burning permit information is available at:
Dept. of Ecology, Eastern Region (509) 456-2926
Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575- 2610
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
