7/30/13 Burn Ban Stage 1 is called for Upper and Lower Yakima County areas

Please be advised:

Effective: 02:30 p.m. PDT today, Tuesday, July 30, 2013:

Due to poor dispersion and ventilation today and tonight- YRCAA is calling a stage 1 burn ban for both the Upper and Lower Yakima County areas, due to residual smoke originating from wildfires in the Yakima area.

Air quality is expected to be poor over the next few days, as dispersion and ventilation are expected to be poor to fair.  Wind speeds are projected to be variable, averaging 5 to 7 mph. 

However, YRCAA will keep stage one in place until further notice and improvement in air quality due to wildfire.

• PM2.5 Air Quality levels are into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) level in the Lower County area, and
• PM2.5 Air Quality levels are into the Moderate (Yellow) level for the Upper County area
• Agricultural Burn allocation are 0  piles per request for Upper and 0 for the Lower Today.
• Dispersion for our jurisdiction is Poor to Fair.
• Ventilation for our jurisdiction is Poor to Poor.
• Wind speed  ~ Southeast to Southwest at night 6 to 8 mph increasing at night.

PLEASE NOTE:

• During Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups (Orange) Air Quality Conditions –
• People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
• Consult your health care professional if you begin to experience difficulty breathing 
• Everyone else should try and limit outdoor activity.
• Consolidate necessary trips

Please Note:  Restrictions may differ within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Reservation.  The Yakama Nation is addressing air quality issues in conjunction with the EPA, under the Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR).  For up-to-date information there, 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 .

Reminder:

  During a Stage 1 Burn Ban:

1.   All Outdoor Burning, including Agricultural burning, is prohibited;

2.   Although few are using home heating this time of year,

     a.   the use of any fireplace, uncertified wood stove or uncertified fireplace         insert is prohibited unless it is the only adequate means of heating a
       home;

     b.   No excessive smoke (over 20% opacity) is allowed from any wood
       burning device beyond a 20-minute start-up; and

3.   All violations of the burn ban are subject to civil penalty.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Hasan Tahat, Ph.D.

Engineering and Planning Division Supervisor

Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency

Tel:  (509) 834-2050 ext. 105

Fax: (509) 834-2060

E-mail:  hasan@yrcaa.org