A Stage 1 burn ban for Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties is in effect as air quality is expected to dip into “unhealthy” levels from the smoke of several lightning-caused wildfires in the North Cascades, the Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA) reported Friday.
All outdoor burning, and home heating with fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves is prohibited.
A Stage 2 burn ban, which would prevent all agricultural and recreational burning, is expected to go into effect as air quality conditions worsen over the weekend.
The air quality burn ban is separate from fire safety burn bans already in place, the NWCAA emphasized in a release.
“The Northwest Clean Air Agency is calling an air quality burn ban in addition to the existing fire safety burn bans to further reduce smoke in our area and protect public health,” NWCAA Executive Director Mark Buford said in the release. “Once the air has cleared, we will remove the air quality burn ban. But the fire safety burn bans will remain in place until fire officials determine that fire danger has passed.”
Wildfire smoke can be particularly harmful for children, people aged 65 and older, and individuals with heart and lung problems.
Friday’s forecast shows moderate air quality in the afternoon and “unsafe for sensitive groups” air quality into the evening in Bellingham.
On Saturday, the smoke will continue, reaching an “unhealthy” air quality, meaning individuals within sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor physical activity, according to the U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program. An extended forecast expects winds to help clear the smoke.
For more information on burn ban information and air quality, visit nwcleanairwa.gov.
