Aug. 21, 2023
At 12:01 a.m. Tuesday (8/22), the Northwest Clean Air Agency will end a Stage 2 air quality burn ban for Whatcom, Skagit, and Island because air quality has improved as shifting winds clear out wildfire smoke.
NOTE: NWCAA’s air quality burn ban was separate from the three counties’ fire safety burn bans on outdoor burning, which remain in effect because of increased fire danger.
Those Stage 2 bans limit outdoor burning in rural areas, including recreational fires like campfires. Also, some cities have called similar bans due to dry conditions.
Please remember that the counties’ fire safety burn bans are still in place until local fire officials determine that fire danger has passed.
The air quality burn ban is being lifted because levels of fine particles from wildfire smoke are dropping throughout the region due to changing weather conditions.
Check NWCAA’s website (https://nwcleanairwa.gov/) for air quality burn ban information and follow NWCAA on Twitter (@NWCleanAir), Facebook, and Instagram (nwcleanair).
NWCAA resources
- NWCAA’s air monitors: https://bit.ly/3lXahMq
- Areawide smoke sensors: https://bit.ly/3iWcwxM
- NWCAA’s Wildfire Smoke Information page: https://bit.ly/2XolMTN
- NWCAA social media:
- Twitter (@NWCleanAir)
- NWCAA’s Facebook page
- Instagram (nwcleanair).
Other resources
- AirNow Fire and Smoke page: https://fire.airnow.gov/
- Washington Smoke Information blog: blogspot.com
- Statewide air quality monitoring: Washington Department of Ecology.
- Health questions? Contact your local health department:
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- Skagit County Health: 360-416-1500
- Island County Health: 360-679-7350
- Whatcom County Health: 360-778-6000
The Northwest Clean Air Agency is responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local air quality regulations in Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. In addition to permitting and regulating industrial sources of air pollution, the agency provides services and information related to asbestos, indoor air quality, outdoor burning, wood stoves, and fireplaces. More information about the agency is available at https://nwcleanairwa.gov/.