Stagnant air prompts burn ban for Thurston County

A Stage 1 burn ban has be placed on Thurston County effective 2 p.m. Friday.

Under a Stage 1 ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and all outdoor burning is prohibited in areas where outdoor burning is not already permanently banned.

Additionally, no visible smoke is allowed from any woodstove or fireplace beyond a 20-minute start-up period.

A system of stable weather conditions over Western Washington, coupled with cold overnight temperatures, has resulted in air pollution levels climbing enough to raise concerns about the air quality, according to the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA). A change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, yet that’s not in the weather forecast until late next week.

While pollution levels in Thurston County warrant the Stage 1 ban, other counties within the jurisdiction of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) haven’t reached that level. To avoid bans in their areas, ORCAA is asking residents of Mason, Clallam and Jefferson counties to voluntarily refrain from all outdoor burning, and to use safe alternatives to wood heat if possible.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces. The state Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse.

Other ORCAA tips for minimizing air pollution:

▪ 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 your stove, go to www.epa.gov/burnwise/. To determine if your stove is certified, go to www.orcaa.org

▪ Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution.

Check air-quality forecasts and conditions at www.orcaa.org.

This story was originally published December 8, 2017 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Stagnant air prompts burn ban for Thurston County."