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Stage 2 burn ban now in effect in Columbia Valley as smoke lingers

Dec. 8, 2017

KENDALL – The Northwest Clean Air Agency is elevating a Stage 1 air quality burn ban to a Stage 2 burn ban in the Columbia Valley urban growth area in Whatcom County because cold, stagnant air is keeping smoke from wood burning from clearing out.

During a Stage 2 burn ban, all burning is prohibited unless you qualify for an exemption from NWCAA. (See https://nwcleanairwa.gov/wood-heating-exemption-forms for information.)

During a Stage 2 burn ban:

  • No burning is allowed in any wood-burning fireplaces, woodstoves, or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified), and pellet stoves unless you have an exemption from NWCAA.
  • No outdoor fires of any kind are allowed. This includes burning of yard waste, land clearing, agricultural burning, and forest burning, plus recreational fires in devices like backyard fire kettles, chimneys, and fire pits.

As air quality improves, Northwest Clean Air will lower the burn ban to Stage 1 or cancel it. Check www.waburnbans.net or NWCAA’s website (www.nwcleanairwa.gov) for up-to-date burn ban information.

Burn ban violators could face fines and other enforcement actions. Remember that it is always illegal to emit excess chimney smoke and impact your neighbors. It is also illegal to burn trash.

The burn ban is based on weather forecasts and current air pollution from small particles. Right now, air quality is predicted to be worse than the national health-based standard for at least 24 hours.

Air 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.

More information

 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, woodstoves and fireplaces. More information about the agency is available at www.nwcleanairwa.gov.