Stage 1 Burn Ban Lifts at 1:00 pm Dec 27th

The following information is shared on behalf of SouthWest Washington Clean Air

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 27, 2013

Clark County Stage 1 Burn Ban Lifting 1:00 p.m. Friday

VANCOUVER, WA. – Due to removal of the air stagnation alert, a slightly improving weather forecast and acceptable air quality conditions, the Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA) is removing the Stage 1 Burn Ban currently in place for Clark County effective 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2013.  The restrictions on using wood stoves and fireplaces in Clark County are being lifted.  Residents may once again use their wood stoves and fireplaces, but are asked to burn as cleanly as possible.  Weather conditions forecast for today and through the weekend are similar to the past few days but with slightly improving conditions and a chance of rain which should maintain air quality in Clark County.  SWCAA will continue to monitor the weather and air quality conditions 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 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.  “These past few days of fog and stagnant air conditions have demonstrated how reduced wood smoke from individual households can result in maintaining acceptable air quality and benefit 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 Friday afternoon, 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.  Burn permits require residents to call the burn line prior to burning to ensure that a burn ban is not in effect.  State law prohibits the burning of garbage, plastics, 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 extension 122                          360-574-3058 extension 130