Air Quality > Agricultural Burning

Agricultural Burning

Click here for an agricultural burn permit application

The way agricultural burning is managed is changing in the Northwest, with Washington State leading the way.  This change is part of a comprehensive revision of the state's air pollution laws that affects not just agriculture, but many other commercial, individual and governmental activities. The Clean Air Washington Act of 1991 (RCW Chapter 70.94) states that those who contribute to air pollution will share the job of protecting air quality.

Agricultural burning is setting fire to:

• Crop residue after harvest in order to reduce excess plant material and hinder pest infestations
• Fruit tree debris from orchards after pruning or tree removal
• Cereal grain (wheat, barley, corn and oats) stubble after harvest

While it is legal to burn for approved agronomic reasons, it is not legal to allow smoke to impact others (WAC 173-460- Agricultural Burning). The agricultural burning of field crop residue and orchard tear out residue can directly impact the safety and health of citizens breathing the smoke-filled air.

To help reduce smoke-related environmental and health concerns, the Department of Ecology's Eastern Washington Burn Team makes daily burn/no-burn decisions called the "burn call" for agricultural permit holders.  The burn call provides daily current and forecasted air quality conditions and burn decisions to citizens.  You can get burn call information from the following sources:

• Internet
• Call 1-800-406-5322 for a recorded message

Check out our new "Hot Topics and Events" web page:

HOT TOPICS and EVENTS LINK

Daily Burn Decision listservs.

The daily burn decision for Ecology regulated Eastern Washington counties is determined by the regional office responsible for the county in question. If you have questions about the daily burn decision please call the correct office. If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe from the listserv used to distribute the daily burn decisions see the links under "ERO listserv" and "CRO listserv" below.

The Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane is responsible for the following counties: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman. Call (509) 329-3400 for questions concerning these counties.

ERO listserv

The Central Regional Office (CRO) in Yakima is responsible for the following counties: Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Klickitat and Okanogan. Call (509) 575-2490 for questions concerning these counties.

CRO listserv

 

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• Burn Zone Map
: Revised Map Available Soon
• Local Clean Air Agencies
• Weather and Monitoring
• Wood Processor List

• Agricultural Links

• Urban Growth Area (UGA) Maps for Washington State

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Related Links

• Alternatives to Burning
• Agricultural Burning Home
• Agricultural Burning Permits Home
• Agricultural Burning Publications
• Agricultural Burning and Research Task Force
• Agricultural Research
• Air Quality Data
• Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Blue Card - Post Burn Reporting Form
• Burn Barrels
• Daily Burn Decision Home
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Outdoor/Residential Burning Home
• Smoke Complaints

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