Wildfires prompt air-quality burn ban
Published 1:30 am Friday, September 9, 2022
The Northwest Clean Air Agency is calling a Stage 1 air quality burn ban for Island, Skagit, and Whatcom counties because harmful wildfire smoke is impacting local air quality.
Outdoor burning is not allowed during a Stage 1 air quality burn ban. Home heating with fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves is also prohibited.
The ban is expected to be elevated to Stage 2 as conditions worsen over the weekend. A Stage 2 ban would apply to agricultural burning and to recreational burning, including campfires and fire pits.
This air quality burn ban is separate from, and in addition to, fire safety burn bans already in effect because of increased fire danger in the three counties.
“The Northwest Clean Air Agency is calling an air quality burn ban in addition to the existing fire safety burn bans to further reduce smoke in our area and protect public health,” NWCAA Executive Director Mark Buford said. “Once the air has cleared, we will remove the air quality burn ban. But the fire safety burn bans will remain in place until fire officials determine that fire danger has passed.”
Prohibiting certain types of burning limits extra smoke that impacts air quality and the health of people already affected by wildfire smoke.
Burn ban violators could face fines and other enforcement actions. Air quality is predicted to be worse than the national health-based standard for the weekend.
