Stage 2/1 Burn Ban Lifting at 10:00 AM. This Morning

Information from Clark County and the Southwest Clean Air Agency  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 23, 2013

Clark County Stage 2 Burn Ban Lifting 10:00 a.m. Thursday

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Due to the onset of favorable weather patterns and improving air quality conditions, the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) is removing the Stage 1/Stage 2 Burn Ban for Clark County effective 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 24, 2013. The restrictions on using wood stoves and fireplaces in Clark County will then be lifted. This afternoon residents may once again use their wood stoves and fireplaces, but are asked to burn as cleanly as possible. However, the relief may be short lived as another high pressure system is forecast to arrive over the area early next week. SWCAA will monitor the weather and air quality and communicate any changes.

For those who heat with wood, please remember that it is always illegal to produce excess chimney smoke and to smoke out your neighbor. You know you are burning properly when you do not see any smoke coming from your chimney. For more information about cleaner wood burning techniques, please visit www.swcleanair.org/burnclean.html.   “This past week has demonstrated how wood smoke from individual households can affect an entire community,” said Robert Elliott, Executive Director of the Southwest Clean Air Agency, “so we ask that if people must burn, that they use only dry, seasoned firewood and follow clean burning practices.”

As of Thursday morning, in areas of Clark County where burning has not been permanently banned, outdoor burning will again be allowed with the proper permits. However, burning at any time adds to the air pollution levels in your local community, and residents are encouraged to seek alternatives to burning throughout the year. When outdoor burning does take place please note that only natural vegetation may be burned and a smoke nuisance may not be caused.  State law prohibits the burning of garbage, home-repair debris, and other prohibited materials at any time. Burn barrels of any kind are also prohibited by state law.

Founded in 1968, the mission of the Southwest Clean Air Agency is to preserve and enhance the air quality in southwest Washington. Serving the counties of Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum, SWCAA is responsible for protecting the public’s health through the enforcement of federal, state and local air quality standards and regulations.

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For more information contact:

Randy Peltier, Operations Manager                Paul Mairose, Chief Engineer

Southwest Clean Air Agency                         Southwest Clean Air Agency

360-574-3058                                                  360-574-3058