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Department of Ecology News Release - Feb. 13, 2003
03-029
OLYMPIA - Stagnant air that settled over the Pacific Northwest on Feb. 5 has moved through Eastern Washington, allowing air quality to return to healthier levels.
As a result, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) has lifted its air quality advisory for the eastern half of the state. The advisory was lifted for Western Washington on Feb. 12.
"Air quality appears to be improving through the middle of next week," said Dick Stender, an Ecology meteorologist. "But local neighborhoods where people tend to use woodstoves may still see air conditions in the moderate to unhealthy ranges, particularly in the afternoons and evenings."
Historically, stagnant air occurs in the Northwest from about mid November to mid March when cold high pressure ridges stall over the area, trapping a layer of cold air beneath a layer of warm air. This is known as a "blocking" weather pattern.
"We'll continue to monitor the situation throughout the season," said Stender. "Meanwhile, people should do all they can to get ready for the next stagnant air episode. That means replacing older wood stoves with certified stoves or cleaner fuels, getting cars tuned and keeping tires inflated."
To find out whether it's okay to use your wood stove or fireplace, call your local clean-air agency. A good rule is that if it is windy or rainy outside, it's probably okay to burn. If the air is very foggy or still, air quality may be poor and burning is not a good idea.
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Contact: Leslie Thorpe, public information manager, 360-407-6848; pager, 360-534-8590
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
