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Department of Ecology Press Release - December 9, 2005
05-293
OLYMPIA - Due to air stagnation settling over the Pacific Northwest, the state Department of Ecology is asking people in areas where burn bans have not already been called to voluntarily refrain from outdoor burning and unnecessary use of wood stoves and fireplaces.
The National Weather Service has issued an Air Stagnation Advisory for Eastern Washington until noon Monday and will issue a similar advisory beginning at 5 p.m. today for most of Western Washington, effective until at least Sunday night.
Poor to very poor air dispersion conditions are forecast to continue through Sunday before a weak system may provide some dispersion on Monday.
"We're asking people to avoid burning and other activities that create smoke and air pollution if they can," said Ecology meteorologist Clint Bowman. "Conditions will be problematic across the state over the weekend."
Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from outdoor burning, wood stoves and fireplaces. This smoke is likely to accumulate, especially in low-lying areas where a temperature inversion has trapped a layer of cold air near the ground.
Ecology officials said smoke and air pollution can aggravate asthma and other medical conditions. Those who have had a heart attack, angina, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or cystic fibrosis are also more sensitive to air pollution. While the air-quality advisory is in effect, young children, the elderly and people with respiratory and cardiovascular ailments should consider limiting their outdoor activities until the air clears.
A burn ban has been in effect for Yakima County and the Yakama Reservation since Tuesday. The Environmental Protection Agency has also called a burn ban on the Mucklesehoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, Skokomish and Squaxin Island Reservations.
The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency today called a mandatory ban on all land clearing burning in four of the six counties within its region -- Clallam, Jefferson, Mason and Thurston counties. A Stage One Burn Ban is being called for King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, effective at 5 p.m. today and continuing at least through the weekend. In these counties, no burning is allowed in uncertified wood stoves or fireplaces, and all outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned.
Residents of populated regions throughout the state should monitor local news media for information about additional voluntary or mandatory woodstove restrictions. If current conditions persist, local authorities may impose mandatory restrictions in more areas.
Ecology also recommends that people limit their vehicle trips, combine errands or use public transportation. If burning wood is the only source of heat, people should burn hot fires using dry wood to lessen smoke emissions.
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Contact: Glenn Kuper, Public Information Manager, 360-407-6848
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
