Clallam County Fire District No. 3 has been made aware of a pending Olympic Region Clean Air Agency Stage 2 burning ban for Clallam County.

 

"It's voluntary at this point," said Assistant Chief Roger Moeder. "This is not a ban."

 

Moeder said the lack of recent storms has created stagnant air, which keeps pollutants in place. ORCAA is requesting people not to burn.

 

"I've been watching the levels and they could institute a burn ban," Moeder said. "They have banned it in Thurston County (a Stage 1 burn ban), but they are trying not to do that here."

 

ORCAA released this statement on Jan. 14: "In the interest of public health and safety, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency asks that all residents curtail all outdoor burning in Clallam and Mason counties and to voluntarily refrain from using wood stoves and fireplaces in all counties (Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason and Pacific) unless absolutely necessary."

 

A Stage 2 Burn Ban prohibits all burning, including fireplaces, wood stoves (certified and uncertified) as well as outdoor burning.

 

Moeder said the pending ban will be pulled when a storm comes through and the air gets moving again.

For more information about the current Air Stagnation Advisory and pending Burn Ban, visit the ORCAA website at www.orcaa.org.