— 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.
I wonder why we encourage people to burn wood in the first place. If it’s twigs, branches, etc., it can be chipped and the Co2 would be retained in the earth.
It seems as if a burn ban would simply be a good idea even if not absolutely necessary, considering the risk to residents….
A burn ban was issued today, but apparently it did not include our area. This was on KOMO tv early this afternoon. I must say I am really surprised about what they are saying here about the moisture content of”fuel”(large trees, etc.) when there has not been any measurable rain for over a month. I guess I didn’t realize they held their moisture that long. In fact Seattle is close to breaking a record set in 1951 for number of days with no measurable rain at SeaTac Airport. They are up to either 46 or 47 days, and the record is 51 days, and there is no rain in the forecast for probably at least a week or so. The temps are supposed to be in the 80’s and 90’s (and possibly higher) for the next week. Hopefully everyone will take this seriously and be extremely careful.