The Northwest Clean Air Agency (NCAA) issued a Stage 1 Burn Ban for the Columbia Valley urban growth area in eastern Whatcom County on Oct. 13 because of low air quality due to wildfire smoke.
The Stage 1 ban restricts any outdoor burning as well as using indoor fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves. A Stage 2 ban, which limits recreational and agricultural burning, could be issued if conditions continue to worsen, according to a press release.
Air quality for fine particulate matter, including wildfire smoke, in the Columbia Valley as of Thursday afternoon was very unhealthy, according to the AirNow fire and smoke map. Children, people over the age of 65 and people with heart and lung problems are particularly at risk. The burn ban will limit the amount of additional smoke in the area, according to the release.
The Columbia Valley includes Kendall, Maple Falls and Peaceful Valley. Air quality levels were low across western Whatcom County Thursday afternoon, with areas between eastern Bellingham and the Columbia Valley being moderate, unhealthy for sensitive groups, and unhealthy.
Staying indoors as much as possible and keeping air at home cleaner by closing doors and windows can help reduce smoke exposure, said Seth Preston, communications program manager for the NCAA.
This burn ban is in addition to the fire safety burn ban already issued for Whatcom County. Violators are subject to a minimum $250 fine.
Western Washington has a high fire danger this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Low humidity, moderate winds and dry conditions will create critical fire weather Saturday and Sunday. The region may see some relief on Monday with cooler weather and moisture, Preston said, but the smoke will linger.
“We’re just having an unusual flow of winds moving from east to west for this time of year. That’s something that doesn’t usually happen,” Preston said. “We’re getting that smoke sucked out of the Cascades passing through our area, and that’s a problem.”
