News Releases from Region 10

Outdoor Burn Ban Declared for Yakama Nation Reservation Starting December 30

(Seattle - December 29, 2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is declaring a ban on all outdoor open burning on the Yakama Nation Reservation due to stagnant air conditions and elevated air pollution, effective at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2015. The burn ban will continue until revised or canceled.

The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning-including camping and recreational fires-in all areas, regardless of ownership or tribal membership, within external reservation boundaries. 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 at risk during this period. Those most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with diabetes, asthma or difficulty breathing, and anyone with heart problems. Those 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/ or https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/.

For current burn ban status and updates, please call the Yakima Nation Air Quality Section at 509-865-5121, extension 6078, or EPA at 1-800-424-4372 or by email to R10_farrhotline@epa.gov.

Find more information online at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/tribal.nsf/programs/farr-burn-bans.