Burn Ban In Place For Parts Of Eastern Washington, North Idaho - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Burn Ban In Place For Parts Of Eastern Washington, North Idaho

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**Press Release From Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency**

SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. - As of 3:00pm Friday January 18th, the Burn Ban has been elevated to a Stage 2 Impaired Air Quality in Spokane County.

Conditions are "Red" for wood heating until further notice. The use of all wood and other solid fuel burning devices (pellet, manufactured logs, coal) is banned in the Spokane County Smoke Control Zone.

Outdoor burning is prohibited countywide.This restricted is expected to last at least through Monday.

Outdoor burning in Spokane County may be allowed, depending on where you live and what you wish to burn, as long as a burn ban is not in effect (if a ban is in effect, we'll list it here.) Forest Management/silvicultural burning is allowed under DNR by rule burn or by conditions in your DNR permit.  Burn barrels are prohibited throughout the state of Washington. 

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has issued a Stage 1 burn ban in Stevens County. The ban takes effect immediately.  

Ecology's Stage 1 burn bans for Stevens County will continue until at least 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, when it could be extended or called off. A Stage 1 ban applies to the use of uncertified wood-burning devices (including wood stoves, inserts and fireplaces) and to all outdoor burning.

Ecology's burn bans do not apply on tribal reservations, where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has jurisdiction.

Smoke from outdoor burning and wood-burning devices builds up where cold air is trapped near the ground. Fine particles in smoke are so small they can easily get into your lungs. Once there, they can cause heart and breathing problems, and even death. Children, people with asthma and respiratory illnesses, and adults older than 65 are most at risk.

In North Idaho, the cold and stable conditions will remain over the area for the weekend and into next week. Areas of low clouds and fog are forecast to continue over the area including Kootenai County, Pinehurst/Silver Valley, Greater Sandpoint Area, Bonners Ferry Area, and St. Maries.

Stagnate conditions will allow pollutant levels to build especially in sheltered valleys. Air quality is expected to be in the MODERATE range for the Pinehurst/Silver Valley area and in the GOOD range for all other areas over the extended weekend.

Pollutant levels could reach the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" during the overnight hours due to poor mixing and heavy woodstove use in some areas.

NO OPEN OUTDOOR BURNING ALLOWED BY STATE AIR QUALITY RULE.

Ensure proper wood burning stove operation and limit use if possible. Uncertified wood stove use may be prohibited within certain city limits.

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