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Department of Ecology Press Release - December 12, 2005
05-295
OLYMPIA - Air quality remains low throughout the state, continuing the need for people to refrain voluntarily from outdoor burning and unnecessary use of wood stoves and fireplaces in those areas not currently under mandatory restrictions.
Air pollution levels are currently moderately elevated across Washington, after levels were quite high overnight. The weak weather system moving across Western Washington this morning will modify the weather sufficiently that the National Weather Service will allow the current Air Stagnation Advisory to expire at noon today in the Puget Sound area. However, air quality will be slow to improve, especially in some of the narrower valleys, and another high-pressure system with stagnant conditions will build back in by midweek.
In Eastern Washington, air quality has mostly remained in the good to moderate range and some clearing is expected in the northeastern portion of the state. The stagnant conditions in Southeast Washington will likely continue and air quality is not expected to improve significantly through midweek. The National Weather Service has extended the Air Stagnation Advisory until mid-afternoon Tuesday.
Smoke and air pollution can aggravate asthma and other medical conditions, Ecology officials said. Fine particles released by smoke from outdoor burning, wood stoves and fireplaces are especially harmful, as they can be inhaled deeply into lungs and damage delicate tissues. Young children, the elderly and people with respiratory ailments should limit their outdoor activities until the air clears.
Residents of populated regions throughout the state should monitor local news media for information about voluntary or mandatory wood stove and outdoor burning restrictions.
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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.
