Outdoor Burn Ban Lifted for Western Washington Tribal Reservations on January Fourth

(Seattle - January 4, 2016) The E.P.A. has lifted its burn ban on open burning on all Indian reservations in Western Washington due to improved air quality, effective as of 8:00 a.m., January 4, 2016.

An earlier burn ban remains in effect for the Yakama Nation Reservation in Eastern Washington due to forecasted continuation of adverse weather conditions which lead to poor air quality.

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. E.P.A. 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, or 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.

For current burn ban status, please visit: https://waburnbans.net/ or contact E.P.A. at 1-800-424-4372 or by email to [email protected]. Find more information online at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/tribal.nsf/programs/farr-burn-bans.

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