January 2012Monthly Archives

Storm Debris Disposal Made Easy in Thurston County

Winds continue to plague parts of the South Sound, but that hasn’t prevented folks from starting the massive effort of clean-up after last week’s storm events.

The heavy snow and ice storms resulted in hundreds of downed trees and broken limbs throughout the region. Fortunately, Thurston County residents have multiple venues for disposal of that woody debris, thus removing the temptation to burn it. Rather than trying to burn that wet, green wood, Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) asks to take advantage of the free drop-off locations established around the county. The following sites will be open until Wednesday, Feb. 29th, for free drop-off of debris such as tree limbs and other woody materials.

  • Griffin Athletic Fields (parking lots),  6924 41st Avenue NW
  • Burfoot Park, (front entrance parking lot),  6927 Boston Harbor Road NE
  • Kenneydell Park,  (ball field parking lot),  6745 Fairview Road
  • Waste and Recovery Center (WARC), 2418 Hogum Bay Road NE (residential customers – no fee, Landscape businesses or Commercial haulers will be charged their regular fee).
  • City of Lacey residents are directed to take their debris to the WARC at no charge
  • Rainier, (vacant lot behind Rainier Market) corner of Minnesota and Rochester Streets.
  • Sargent Road Gravel Pit, 16500 Sargent Rd. SW .
  • County residents are urged to drop off materials at the WARC if possible.

Please note- the drop off sites are for residential storm-related debris only!

All sites for disposal will be open for drop-off of material beginning Wednesday, January 25, 2012 through Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

  • WARC – regular business hours – Monday to Friday 7 a.m to 5 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m to 5 p.m.
  • All other sites – 7 days a week – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
admin
January 25, 2012
News and Information
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Consider Alternatives to Burning of Storm Debris

Outdoor Burning Illegal in Cities & Urban Growth Areas (UGAs)

With the passing of last week’s storms, western Washington now faces the daunting task of cleaning up.

The heavy snow and ice storms resulted in hundreds of downed trees and broken limbs throughout the region. Rather than trying to burn that wet, green wood, Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) asks that homeowners either simply pile their yard debris in a safe location on their property for the time being, or use currently available alternative means of disposal. The trees and limbs that came down as a result of the storms this month are wet and mostly likely green. That means that woody debris will not burn cleanly, resulting in excessive smoke and fine particular matter (PM2.5) air pollution.

Chipping and composting are the best option, though other alternatives to burning are also available. You can find more details on the options at www.orcaa.org or by calling your local waste disposal company. ORCAA also reminds residents that outdoor burning is prohibited year-round for most Washington cities and the cities’ Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundaries.

Likewise, that storm-debris wood is not suitable for use in wood stoves or fireplaces this winter.

If residents do have storm debris that’s potentially useable in their home heating appliances, it should be cut into useable lengths, split and stacked under cover now so it can dry and cure for last least 9 months before use next fall. Clean, dry firewood produces little or no smoke when burned properly, while wet wood produces substantial smoke as much of the fire’s heat is used to dry the wood enough for combustion.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from outdoor burning, or indoor use of wood stoves and fireplaces. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to people with lung and heart problems, people with diabetes, children, and older adults (over age 65).

admin
January 23, 2012
Burn Status, Health, News and Information
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Burn Bans LIFTED in Thurston & Mason Counties

With today’s change in weather, air quality has improved signficantly allowing Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) to lift the Burn Bans in Thurston and Mason Counties, effective 8 a.m. today (Saturday, January 14, 2012).

ORCAA staff thanks the residents of these counties for the support of, and adherence to, the burn ban while it was in effect. By voluntarily reducing the amount of burning done prior to the implementation of the formal burn ban, residents of ORCAA’s other counties – Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam and Jefferson – where able to minimize pollution  in their counties.

Now that the burn bans have been lifted, ORCAA encourages residents to remember that just because you can burn doesn’t mean you should.

Burning at any time adds to the air pollution levels in your local neighborhood, and residents are encouraged to seek alternatives to burning throughout the year. ORCAA especially encourages residents to resist outdoor burning when possible. When outdoor burning does take place, note that only natural vegetation may be burned. State law prohibits the burning of garbage and home-repair debris at any time. Burn barrels of any kind are also prohibited by state law. Outdoor burning in also prohibited in any Urban Growth Area.

Unregulated outdoor burning of any kind can contribute to poor air quality, but burning garbage and other debris—even scraps of milled wood products—is particularly problematic. Most household garbage contains a great deal of plastics, chemicals, coatings and chemically treated materials. When burned, this garbage and waste material releases toxic fumes and particles into the air. This pollution can cause health problems ranging from eye and respiratory irritation to potential cancers.

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) encourages all residents to explore options such as chipping of woody debris, and composting of leaves and grass-clippings rather than burning.

Woodstoves and fireplace inserts used for home heating, meanwhile, should be operated as cleanly as possible. That means allowing adequate airflow into the fire chamber to encourage a hot fire for complete combustion. Choking a fire by turning down the damper creates significant smoke that can impact a neighborhood. Fires should be kept small and hot for most efficient use of your fuel ­– you’ll save money and save our shared air.

For more information about burn ban regulations, clean home heating and outdoor burning practices, visit www.orcaa.org

 

admin
January 14, 2012
Burn Status, Health, News and Information
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NEWS: Stage Two Burn Ban called for Thurston County

Stage Two Burn Ban called for Thurston County

A Stage Two Burn Ban has been called for Thurston County, effective 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 and will continue indefinitely.

No burning is allowed in fireplaces or wood stoves (certified and uncertified), and all outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. The ban will be lifted only after a change in weather arrives to improve the air quality.

While pollution levels in Thurston County warrant the Stage Two Ban, Mason County remains under a Stage 1 Burn Ban, but other counties within the jurisdiction of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) haven’t reached that level. To avoid bans in their areas, the residents of Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam and Jefferson Counties are asked to voluntarily refrain from all outdoor burning, and to use safe alternatives to wood heat if possible.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from outdoor burning as well as from the use of wood stoves and fireplaces. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults over age 65.

Restrictions During a Stage 2 Burn Ban

  • No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.
    If your fireplace, pellet stove, or wood stove is your only adequate source of heat and therefore must be used, you must operate it cleanly. No visible smoke is allowed.
  • No outdoor fires of any kind are allowed. This includes recreational fires as well as the use of backyard fire kettles, chimineas or firepits.
  • Burn ban violations are subject to a monetary penalty.
  • During a Stage 2 ban, residents may use natural gas and propane appliances.

Under a Stage 1 Ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and all outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. Additionally, no visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute start-up period.

Olympic Region Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted.

Additional information burn bans throughout Washington state may be found at http://waburnbans.net

 

 

admin
January 12, 2012
Burn Status, Exec. Director's Desk, Health, News and Information
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NEWS: Stage 1 Burn Ban called for Thurston & Mason Counties

Stage 1 Burn Ban called for Thurston & Mason Counties

A Stage One Burn Ban is being called for Thurston and Mason Counties effective 4 p.m. today (Jan. 11, 2012) and continuing into the weekend.

Under a Stage 1 Ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, and all outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. Additionally, no visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute start-up period.

A system of stable, high pressure over Western Washington, coupled with cold overnight temperatures has resulted in air pollution levels climbing enough to raise concerns about the air quality and its impacts on health. A change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, yet that’s not forecast to occur until well into the weekend.

While pollution levels in Thurston & Mason Counties warrants the Stage One Ban, other counties within the jurisdiction of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) haven’t reached that level. To avoid bans in their areas, the residents of Mason, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam and Jefferson Counties are asked to voluntarily refrain from all outdoor burning, and to use safe alternatives to wood heat if possible.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from wood stoves and fireplaces. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults over age 65.

Olympic Region Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted. In the meantime, here are some other things people can do to help protect the air we breathe:

  • If you have a certified wood stove or fireplace insert, make sure you are using it properly so you don’t produce excess chimney smoke. Excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques or upgrading to a certified, pellet, natural gas or propane stove, visit http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/
  • To determine if your stove is certified, visit www.orcaa.org.
  • Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round. Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.orcaa.org.

For more information about Burn Ban regulations, you may refer to Chapter 173-433 of the Washington Administrative Code.

admin
January 11, 2012
Burn Status, Exec. Director's Desk, Health, News and Information
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