News Releases from Region 10
EPA Declares Outdoor Burn Ban for Yakama Nation
EPA Declares Outdoor Burn Ban for Yakama Nation
(Seattle –January 13, 2017) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is declaring a ban on all outdoor open burning on the Yakama Reservation due to stagnant air conditions and elevated air pollution, effective noon, January 13, 2017 through Wednesday January 18, 2017 unless extended.
The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning—including camping and recreational fires—in all areas within external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or tribal membership. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the burn ban. For areas outside reservation boundaries, please contact your local clean air agency, fire department, or the Washington State Department of Ecology.
EPA requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution as much as possible, including excess driving and idling of vehicles, and the use of woodstoves and fireplaces, unless they are the only adequate source of heat.
Air pollution can have significant health impacts. Cooperation from the community will help people who are most at risk during this period, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with asthma or difficulty breathing, diabetes, heart problems or otherwise compromised health. These sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible. Under the most severe pollution levels all residents should restrict their activities.
To check conditions in your area, go to http://www.airnow.gov/ .
For current burn ban status, please visit https://waburnbans.net/, the tribal air quality office, or the EPA at 1-800-424-4372, email to R10_farrhotline@epa.gov.
Find more information online, go to https://www.epa.gov/farr
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