Fire officials in Whatcom and Skagit counties have declared fire safety burn bans in rural areas because of fire danger. The bans on most outdoor burning in rural areas begin June 15.
San Juan County has stopped issuing residential or commercial burn permits.
During periods of elevated fire dangers and dry conditions, county fire officials can call for bans on different types of burning in unincorporated areas.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency does not issue fire safety burn bans. The agency can call air quality burn bans depending on the amount of smoke pollution in the air, such as when winds carry wildfire smoke into NWCAA’s jurisdiction (Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties).
For details:
Tiny fine particles in wood smoke are a health threat because they can be inhaled deeply into lungs and damage delicate tissues.
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.
Air quality information
Local air quality information: Northwest Clean Air Agency.
Statewide air quality monitoring: Washington Department of Ecology.
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/.
