Burn ban lifted Saturday

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By K.C. Mehaffey
World staff writer

Saturday, January 19, 2013

A ban on outdoor burning and the use of uncertified wood-burning devices in Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties will be lifted at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“We believe the earlier ban has really improved the air quality in many parts of the region,” said Joye Redfield-Wilder, spokeswoman for the state Department of Ecology.

Air quality had registered as moderate in Wenatchee and Twisp, and unhealthy for sensitive groups in Leavenworth and Okanogan on Tuesday, when the ban went into effect. Monitors showed the air quality improved to good in all those areas by Friday morning.

In addition to compliance, the agency is expecting sufficient ventilation that will move air out of the valleys, where it can become trapped during an inversion.

Ecology will continue to watch the air monitors, and will reinstate burning restrictions if air quality worsens.

She said the ban remains in place in Kittitas and Stevens counties.

— K.C. Mehaffey, World staff

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mizmaus 4 months ago

As usual, Department of ecology are complete idiots regarding our air quality. Example from the local weather report, online, today:

AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY Now - Tuesday, Jan 22, 4:00pm ...AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST TUESDAY... TIMING: THROUGH AT LEAST TUESDAY. LOCATIONS: THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CASCADES INCLUDING LEAVENWORTH...PLAIN...MAZAMA...AND WINTHROP. THE WENATCHEE AREA. THE WATERVILLE PLATEAU. THE OKANOGAN VALLEY INCLUDING REPUBLIC AND NESPELEM. THE OKANOGAN VALLEY INCLUDING OMAK AND OROVILLE. THE NORTHEAST WASHINGTON MOUNTAINS INCLUDING COLVILLE...DEER PARK...AND CUSICK. THE UPPER COLUMBIA BASIN... MOSES LAKE AREA. IMPACTS: THIS STAGNANT PATTERN HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PERSIST FOR SEVERAL DAYS...WHICH MAY LEAD TO INCREASED LEVELS OF POLLUTION OVER TIME. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR LOCAL AIR QUALITY AGENCY BEFORE BURNING. BURN BANS ARE IN EFFECT FOR MANY AREAS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN WASHINGTON. WEB PAGE: FOR A DETAILED VIEW OF THE HAZARD AREA VISIT HTTP://WWW.WRH.NOAA.GOV/WRH/WHV/?WFO=OTX PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY INDICATES THAT DUE TO LIMITED MOVEMENT OF AN AIR MASS ACROSS THE ADVISORY AREA...POLLUTION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. PERSONS WITH RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR PHYSICIANS ADVICE FOR DEALING WITH HIGH LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTION.