Because of wildfire and public safety concerns in our wooded counties, seasonal burn bans are now in effect throughout ORCAA’s jurisdiction

Prohibitions on residential outdoor burning are now in effect in Jefferson, Clallam and Thurston Counties. Land Clearing burning is now prohibited in all six ORCAA counties (Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific and Thurston) due to a summer-long ban called state-wide by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

These seasonal bans continue through the summer.

The restrictions on outdoor burning during the summer and early autumn has resulted in a significant drop in brush fires and property damage each of the past couple years, according to fire officials.

Outdoor burning causes significant amounts of air pollution, but it is the fire danger associated with burning that has prompted bans on outdoor burning in many counties in Washington.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) supports the local fire agencies, as well as the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) anytime those agencies issue a fire-safety burn ban. ORCAA will not issue land clearing burning permits in counties in which fire-safety burn bans have been called.

Today, DNR announced there will be a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands starting July 15, 2010 through September 30, 2010. This means all forestlands in Washington except for federal lands. Because ORCAA supports all DNR curtailments, this means all land clearing burning in ORCAA’s six county jurisdiction (Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific and Thurston) will be prohibited beginning July 15 and lasting at least until September 30.

“The threat of wildfires from escaped outdoor burning is high during the summer months due to unusual fire danger,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “Wildfires are dangerous for people and property and result in large expenditures of public funding that can be avoided through prudent actions to prevent them.”

While the primary reason for the current bans are to reduce wildfire risks, ORCAA encourages everyone to use this as an opportunity to explore safe, reasonable alternatives to outdoor burning. Alternatives include:

• Use a mulching mower to reduce or eliminate grass clippings.
• Chip and/or compost your yard and garden debris.
• Haul your yard and garden debris to a community composting facility

Residents should also be aware that burning any form of garbage – including paper –is prohibited at all times by state law. Burn barrels are also illegal everywhere in Washington state.

Because of wildfire and public safety concerns in our wooded counties, seasonal burn bans take effect this month.

Prohibitions on outdoor burning in Jefferson and Clallam Counties begins today (July 1) while Thurston County bans burning beginning July 15.

These seasonal bans continue through the summer.

The restrictions on outdoor burning during the summer and early autumn has resulted in a significant drop in brush fires and property damage each of the past couple years, according to fire officials.

To stay up-to-date on the status of burn bans, please register for the ORCAA email news alerts HERE or simply visit this site regularly for news and information our region’s air quality issues.

Check current burn status here

These pyrotechnical displays provide brilliant light shows each Independence Day, but they also cause spikes in air pollution levels that may be hazardous to the health of some individuals. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) has noticed elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution at many of its monitoring stations during previous Independence Days. In some cases, levels at the monitoring sites reached Moderate Air Quality for more than a full day after the Fourth.

The smoke from fireworks displays generally dissipates within a few hours, but individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions may be impacted during that time.

ORCAA acknowledges that fireworks are a source of air pollution, but does not advocate a ban on the devices. Rather, ORCAA seeks to ensure people are aware of the potential health risk posed by exposure to the pollution from these devices.

To minimize impacts from fireworks pollution, individuals should reduce or eliminate their use of personal fireworks ­– these tend to concentrate their smoke near ground level. Instead, residents may attend community-sponsored aerial fireworks displays. These create pollution as well, but generally much higher above the ground where it can dissipate more completely before reaching people at ground level.

Folks who do set up fireworks on their own should keep the devices well clear of buildings and combustible materials (including vegetation). Besides the health risks from the air emissions of fireworks, the devices also pose serious fire-safety risks. They must also be careful when disposing of the debris afterwards. After dousing the paper and plastic with water (to reduce risks of fire), the waste material should be disposed of with your garbage. The waste should never be burned – not only does state law prohibit burning the material, but the colorful wrappings contain chemicals that could release additional dangerous toxics into the air if burned.

Of particular concern are illegal fireworks manufactured outside the United States as they frequently contain lead (lead is banned in fireworks production in the U.S.).

ORCAA encourages all residents to have a fun, but safe and healthful, Fourth of July Holiday.

Public comment is currently being accepted on an Air Operating Permit (AOP) for Sierra Pacific Industries’ Lumber Mill located in Aberdeen, Washington, pursuant to Title V of the federal Clean Air Act. The draft AOP is intended to help ensure compliance with air quality regulations and standards that apply to Sierra Pacific Industries(SPI).  The SPI Mill in Junction City requires an AOP because it has the potential to emit over 100 tons per year of volatile organic compounds and over 25 tons per year of hazardous air pollutants resulting from kiln drying of lumber.

Copies of the draft AOP and the associated Technical Support Document (TSD) for SPI Mill are on file and available for review at the Aberdeen branch of the Timbarland Public Library, and at ORCAA’s office in Olympia. The draft AOP and TSD are also available online HERE

Comments may be submitted to ORCAA in writing. Written comments should be addressed to: ORCAA, 2940-B Limited Lane NW, Olympia, WA 98502, and will be accepted up to close of business on Monday, June 30, 2010. Comments should pertain to adequacy of the draft AOP in assuring compliance with applicable air quality regulations and standards. Any concerned party may request a public hearing within the specified public comment period. The request should include information to justify the need for a public hearing. If there is significant public interest, ORCAA will hold a public hearing.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) firmly believes in its motto, “Clean Air is Everyone’s Business.” As such, ORCAA seeks to keep everyone within our jurisdiction well informed about the actions—and proposed actions—we take.

Public comment is currently being accepted on a Notice of Construction Application from Interfor Pacific of Forks. Interfor proposes a voluntarily limit on emissions of hazardous air pollutants at their lumber mill in Forks.
ORCAA has assessed air quality implications of Interfor’s proposed emissions limit and concluded that compliance with applicable air regulations and standards will likely be maintained. On this basis, ORCAA’s Preliminary Determination is to approve Interfor’s NOC application.

Copies of ORCAA’s Preliminary Determination are on file and available for review at the Forks branch of the North Olympic Library System, located at 171 Forks Avenue South, and at ORCAA’s offices in Olympia and Port Angeles. ORCAA’s Preliminary Determination is also found here.

Comments may be submitted to ORCAA in writing. Written comments should be addressed to: ORCAA, 2940-B Limited Lane NW, Olympia, WA 98502, and will be accepted up to close of business on Friday, June 25, 2010.

This work session will focus on a staff presentation of proposed regulation revisions pertaining to outdoor burning.

The meeting will be open to the public.

Links to the full meeting agenda and draft budget can be viewed here:

http://www.orcaa.org/news-and-information/board-of-directors/

By following recommendations of the Air Quality Index (AQI), people can take simple steps to reduce the amount of pollution they breathe in. The AQI is EPA’s color-coded tool for reporting daily air quality and forecasts for common air pollutants, including ozone (smog) and particle pollution.

Although air quality in Washington generally earns high marks, and the six counties served by ORCAA enjoy clear, clean air much of the year, yet serious threats do continue to pose problems for clean air. Exhaust from diesel vehicles and smoke from wood stoves, fireplaces and outdoor burning pose the greatest risks to human health in our state. Air pollution causes cancer and harms the heart, lungs and immune systems, especially in individuals with pre-existing health conditions, infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women and smokers. Additionally, the cost of these health impacts – estimated to be in the billions of dollars – is primarily borne by individual citizens, employers and governments.

The problems of air pollution go much deeper than that, even. Air pollution also affects the environment and quality of life in other ways, including: damage to soils, water, crops, and wildlife; impaired visibility; and effects on the climate.

• Monday: Ways to Live Clean and Green

The average home in Washington produced approximately the same amount of pollution as an average family car (i.e., over 7,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nearly 10 pounds of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), based upon the average monthly residential electricity consumption.

• Tuesday: Ways to Drive Clean and Green

On road sources (e.g., cars, trucks) continue to be the largest contributors to air toxics, ozone, particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and carbon monoxide emissions. They are also the largest contributing sources to greenhouse gas emissions in the state, even considering advances in vehicle technology to reduce air pollution. Larger vehicles, like popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs), can produce more than twice as much pollution as a small car!

• Wednesday: Ways to Keep your School Clean and Green

Students, educators and school administrators can all play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Thursday: Ways to Buy Clean and Green

Americans use so many Styrofoam cups each year that, if stacked end to end, they would to circle the earth 426 times. That’s one hundred cups per person per year. These cups are made from petroleum products, a non-renewable resource. The processes and resources that create, distribute, and dispose of these cups contributes to air pollution – and contribute to our continued reliance on foreign oil.

• Friday: Ways to Keep your Community Clean and Green

Be proactive to encourage smart growth. As a resident of one of the communities within ORCAA’s six county jurisdiction, you already enjoy some of one of the world’s most spectacular places to live. Help keep it clean, green and natural by sitting in on the meetings of your local planning commission or county council meetings. Encourage your government leaders to choose green design options and to make smart planning decisions.

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