The Northwest Clean Air Agency is ending a Stage 2 air quality burn ban for Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties because air quality has improved as winds sweep out wildfire smoke.
NWCAA’s air quality burn ban was separate from the three counties’ fire safety burn bans on outdoor burning in rural areas, which remain in effect because of increased fire danger:
- Island County: https://bit.ly/2RyQXaF
- Skagit County: https://bit.ly/2FvaKFB
- Whatcom County: https://bit.ly/2ZPlPrI
“We’re lifting the air quality burn ban because levels of fine particles from wildfire smoke are dropping throughout the region,” said NWCAA Executive Director Mark Buford. “We would like to thank everyone who did their part to protect the air and people’s health during the air quality burn ban.”
“Please remember that the counties’ fire safety burn bans are still in place until local fire officials determine that fire danger has passed,” Buford said.
Check NWCAA’s website (https://nwcleanairwa.gov/) for air quality burn ban information and follow @NWCleanAir on Twitter and on our Facebook page.
More information
- Washington Smoke Information blog: wasmoke.blogspot.com
- Statewide air quality monitoring map: Washington Department of Ecology.
- Health questions? Contact your local health department:
- 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/.