NEWS RELEASE
February 5 , 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Dan A. Nelson, ORCAA Public Information Officer, Ext. 111
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dan A. Nelson, ORCAA Spokesman
(360) 586-1044
Burn Ban LIFTED in Thurston and Mason counties
February 5, 2007– A Stage 1 Burn ban has been discontinued as of 10 a.m. today for Thurston and Mason Counties due to improved air quality over the weekend, though some restrictions remain in effect for Thurston County.
All burn prohibitions are lifted for Mason County, and residents of Thurston County may once again use their woodstoves and fireplace. Land clearing and residential outdoor burning is still restricted in Thurston County, due to the lack of lack of atmospheric ventilation. Without some wind or rain to clear the air, unrestricted burning would quickly lead to elevated air pollution levels this week. With this is mind, ORCAA is requesting everyone voluntarily refrain from all unnecessary burning through its jurisdiction.
The stable weather should break up by mid-week, which would allow ORCAA to lift the final burn restrictions. State-mandated burn bans in cities and Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) are unaffected by these called burn bans. Outdoor burning is permanently prohibited state-wide in all UGAs and cities with populations over 5,000.
ORCAA's jurisdiction includes Thurston and Mason Counties, as well as Jefferson, Clallam, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.
Olympic Region Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the last of the burn restrictions can be lifted. In the meantime, here are some other things people can do to help protect the air we breathe:
- If you have a certified wood stove or fireplace insert, make sure you are using it properly so you don't produce excess chimney smoke. Excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques or upgrading to a certified, pellet, natural gas or propane stove, visit www.burningclean.com.
- To determine if your stove is certified, visit HERE
- Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round. Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org. The current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available via the links on the right.
The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency protects and enhances air quality for citizens in Thurston, Mason, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Pacific counties by enforcing federal, state and local air quality regulations. If you have questions specific to the topic above, or just general questions about local air quality, contact ORCAA at (360) 586-1044 or 1-800-422-5623, or visit ORCAA's website, www.orcaa.org.