Cooler temps mark the start of burn ban season

 

Nov. 2, 2004 – It’s that time of year again when temperatures start dropping and many people start using their wood stoves and fireplaces. That means it’s important to pay attention to air quality and to make sure you know how to burn properly. Excess chimney smoke can bother your neighbors and lead to burn bans if pollution levels rise too high during stagnant weather periods.

Always remember to check our Web site for burn ban status along with current air quality and two-day air quality forecasts. If there is a burn ban in effect, we’ll carry the message prominently on the home page. To receive e-mail notification when a burn ban is called, simply sign up for our Clean Air Network*. You can also call (800) 595-4341 to hear a recorded message about burn ban status.

Natural gas and propane stoves and fireplaces are the cleanest source of cozy fires and you can use them even during a burn ban. If you have a wood stove or wood-burning fireplace that you’d like to replace, check out Puget Sound Energy’s special $250 offer at www.pse.com.

You might also consider upgrading to an EPA-certified stove or fireplace insert if you have an old wood stove or an open fireplace. They are cleaner-burning when used properly. To learn more about clean-burning techniques, visit www.burningclean.com.

If you do heat with wood, use manufactured logs instead of firewood for a cleaner burn. If you use cut wood, be sure it is very dry, use small pieces and give it lots of air. Never damper down a wood stove; that creates excess smoke.

* If you are already signed up for e-mail notification, make sure you are receiving these important notices by checking that your e-mail filter allows our messages though and that our e-mail address is added to your address book.