Deteriorating air quality has prompted a Stage 1 burn ban in Kittitas County to begin at 4 p.m., today (Jan. 27, 2016) and continuing through at least 4 p.m. Friday, when it could be called off or extended.
The Washington Department of Ecology is calling the ban because dispersion of air pollution in the Ellensburg area is expected to remain poor over the next few days, although there may be some periods of temporary improvement on Thursday.
Under a Stage 1 ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited including residential, agricultural and forest burning. Use of uncertified wood stoves, fireplaces, inserts, and other uncertified wood-burning devices is prohibited unless they are a home’s only adequate source of heat. Certified wood stoves, pellet stoves and other certified wood-burning devices are allowed.
Call 866-211-6284 if you think someone is illegally burning or you are impacted by smoke. Up-to-date burn ban information is available at www.waburnbans.net.
Ecology’s burn bans do not apply on tribal reservations, where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has jurisdiction. Call 800-424-4372 for tribal burn ban information or visit EPA’s Washington Burn Ban page on their website.