Residents asked to stop outdoor burning as cold air, wood stoves hit air quality
The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency is asking residents to limit outdoor burning this week as the air quality in parts of Thurston and Pierce counties fell outside the “good” category on Monday.
According to a Dec. 1 news release from ORCAA, “the cold, calm weather that settled over Western Washington during Thanksgiving weekend” hasn’t let go of the region, and “the winter conditions mean more folks are using their wood stoves for home heating.”
The air quality in some areas is “moderate,” the news release said.
“In the interest of public health and safety, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) asks that all residents voluntarily hold off on outdoor burning this week,” the news release said. “By limiting the amount of outdoor burning, ORCAA hopes to avoid having to call an official burn ban.”
“During a stage 1 ban, residents may have to stop using their wood stoves for home heating,” according to the release.
Burning trash is illegal at all times in Washington.
“Rather than burning yard waste this week, ORCAA asks homeowners to save their burning for days when smoke can disperse more efficiently.” the release said.
The agency also encourages residents to find alternatives to burning yard debris.
“Chipping and composting are the best options,” according to the release, “though other alternatives to burning are also available.”
More information is available on ORCAA’s website, “or by calling your local waste disposal company,” the release said.
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