Another burn ban issued for the Whatcom County Columbia Valley area
For the second time since Dec. 19, the Northwest Clean Air Agency called for a stage 1 burn ban Friday in Whatcom County’s Columbia Valley urban growth area. A previous ban was in effect from Dec. 29 to Jan. 5.
Cold and still air has prevented smoke from clearing out of the area, leading the agency to call for the burn ban.
During a Stage 1 burn ban:
- No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat.
- All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned.
- No visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute startup period.
“If you must burn wood for heat, burn small, hot fires,” the agency said in a news release Friday. “Check your chimney 20 minutes after lighting a fire to ensure that it is not smoking, and if it is, take action. Do not let fires smolder overnight.”
High amounts of smoke can be harmful, especially to children, adults age 65 or older, and people with heart or lung problems, the Northwest Clean Air Agency said in a news release.
Smoke pollution can trigger asthma attacks, make breathing difficult and make heart and lung problems worse.
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