— by Lin McNulty —

Current (as 4 p.m., August 4, 2017) air quality and fire map.

When you look outside at the dull grey lurking overhead, as wind conditions push British Columbia wildfire smoke into our skies, it seems only natural to wonder why there would not be a burn ban under such conditions.

There are three specific reasons and procedures for issuing a burn ban, and the first two come from agencies outside our local county.

Air quality burn bans are issued and enforced by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency when air pollution levels rise to unhealthy levels. Air quality burn bans typically occur during colder fall and winter months.

DNR burn bans are issued by the Department of Natural Resources on lands that DNR protects from wildfire.

Fire safety burn bans are issued by the fire marshal when dry weather conditions heighten the risk of wildfires. Fire safety burn bans are generally called during the summer and can last for several months.

Orcas Fire & Rescue Chief Scott Williams explained that current the fuel moisture content is being monitored. Those results show that the moisture content of “fuel” (large trees, etc.) for fires remains within a limit that does not indicate a need to issue a ban.

Any ban because of air quality would come from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. Currently, King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties have an air quality burn ban in effect.

The County Fire Marshall could not be reached for comment.

 

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