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Department of Ecology News Release - March 31, 2006
06-053
YAKIMA - Spring is the time of year when people see the sunshine and want to clean up their lawns and gardens. People are also getting back outside for recreational activities.
Don't let smoke from your burning harm the health of your friends and neighbors. Smoke from outdoor burning contains toxic chemicals and aggravates asthma, allergies and bronchitis. Children and elderly people are more susceptible to the harmful affects of smoke.
Residents of Central and Eastern Washington are urged to consider alternatives to burning this spring. Chipping, shredding and composting are some alternatives people should consider when cleaning up their yards.
Many communities have spring collection programs or special solid waste programs, and information on composting is available from county solid-waste managers and "master gardener" programs.
If you must burn, be sure you know the laws that apply in your area. It is legal to burn only natural, unprocessed vegetation. Depending on the purpose and size of your vegetation, you may need to obtain a permit from your local fire district or the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).
Contact Ecology or your local air authority for information in your area. It is never OK to burn in a burn barrel or to burn garbage.
More information on outdoor burning is available by calling your air quality agency at:
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Media contact: Jani Gilbert, (509) 329-3495 in Spokane;
Joye Redfield-Wilder, (509) 575-2610 in Yakima;
Glenn Kuper, (360) 407-6848 in Olympia
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
