A Stage 2 air quality burn ban has been canceled for the Columbia Valley urban growth area (including the Peaceful Valley and Paradise Lakes developments) in Whatcom County, according to the Northwest Clean Air Agency.
Air quality has improved at this time, but NWCAA urges residents to limit indoor wood burning as much as possible to avoid another burn ban in the near future.
Burn bans are based on weather forecasts and current air pollution from small particles. They are called when air quality is predicted to be worse than the national health-based standard for at least 24 hours.
Fine particles in wood smoke are harmful because they can be inhaled deeply into lungs and damage delicate tissues. Smoke pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults age 65 and older.
Check NWCAA’s website (https://nwcleanairwa.gov/), @NWCleanAir on X/Twitter, nwcleanair on Instagram and Threads, and NWCAA’s Facebook page for up-to-date burn ban information.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency is responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local air quality regulations in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. In addition to permitting and regulating industrial sources of air pollution, the agency provides services and information related to asbestos, outdoor burning, wood smoke and wildfire smoke, and air quality data. More information about the agency is available at https://nwcleanairwa.gov/.
