A forecast of cooling temperatures and stagnant air prompted a Stage 1 burn ban for Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas and Kittitas counties effective at 9 a.m. on Monday (Dec. 4), the state Department of Ecology announced. The ban will continue through 9 a.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 6), when conditions will be reassessed.
All outdoor burning and the use of uncertified stoves and fireplaces is prohibited.
The Washington Department of Ecology is calling the burn ban because cooling air followed by stagnant conditions will put communities at risk for unhealthy levels of air pollution. Fine particles from wood smoke can easily get into peoples’ lungs causing heart and breathing problems.
Call (866) 211-6284 if you think someone is illegally burning or you are impacted by smoke.
Current burn ban information is available at www.waburnbans.net.
