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Department of Ecology News Release - September 12, 2001
01-160
YAKIMA - As part of a settlement reached with the state Department of Ecology (Ecology), a Monitor man has agreed to construct fire lines and implement other fire prevention measures and pay a $1,100 fine for an alleged outdoor fire that burned on his property for approximately 46 days.
Earl Burts was originally fined $22,000 for an uncontrolled garbage fire that began on Dec. 6, 1998, and burned until Jan. 19, 1999, on property he owned in Fairview Canyon in Chelan County.
In addition to implementing a fire prevention program, Burts has agreed to work with the Chelan-Douglas County Health District to develop a program for managing solid materials at his site, including the proper storage of tires, and proper handling of batteries and refrigerants.
"Outdoor fires have been a problem at this site for more than 10 years," said Sue Billings, with Ecology's air program in Yakima. "We hope these measures will lessen the chance for a repeat of what happened during the winter of 1998-99."
The settlement agreement has been approved by the state Pollution Control Hearings Board and resolves all issues regarding this penalty.
Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610, or pager (509) 574-0490
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
