10/3/12 Update: YAKIMA COUNTY BURN BAN CHANGES

1.      The Governor’s Executive Order Burn Ban, issued by Governor Christine Gregoire, remains in effect until at least Sunday, October 7, 2012.  This burn ban is based on “Fire Safety” concerns and prohibits all outdoor burning, including but not limited to:

·        Residential yard debris clean-up, trash disposal, land clearing, weed abatement and agricultural burning activity

·        Campfires

·        Bonfires

·        Ignition of fireworks. in any portion of the State of Washington that is east of the Cascade Range.

2. Restrictions in Yakima County may differ within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Reservation, which operates under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR).  For up-to-date information on burning restrictions on the Yakama Reservation, please call 1-800-424-4EPA (1-800-424-4372) and ask for the FARR Hotline or visit the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) website for the current burn status at www.epa.gov/r10earth/FARR.htm .
3. For information regarding burning restrictions on federal or state forested lands in Yakima County, to include campfire use, contact the Naches Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
4. Due to local air quality improvement and considering short-term weather projections, the Stage 2 Burn Ban (an air quality-related curtailment) issued by the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency is removed as of today, Tuesday, October 02, 2012, at 3:30 p.m.  However, YRCAA recognizes and supports the authority of the aforementioned burn bans, which currently do remain in place.

WHAT THIS MEANS:

1. For all of Washington State which lies east of the Cascade crest, no outside burning is allowed.  This supersedes YRCAA authority to alter.
2. For all of Yakima County (noting possible exceptions or differences on the Yakama Reservation; state and federal forested lands):
1. No outside burning is allowed – period.  This includes, but is not limited to, any outdoor burning performed by Agricultural Burn Permit holders or Residential Burn Permit holders.
2. Woodstoves, pellet stoves, fireplaces, and fireplace inserts may be used for home heating purposes.

AIR QUALITY and HEALTH SAFETY note:

The YRCAA Air Pollution Control Officer respectfully asks all area residents to temporarily restrain from any unnecessary use of wood-fueled heating devices – even if they are allowed – if alternate sources of home heating exist.  He asks for voluntary community cooperation in this until the wildfire episodes are fully contained and the fires are completely extinguished.