Governor signs bill revising Burn-Ban threshold

New PM2.5 threshold offers better protection

 

Apr. 27, 2005 — SEATTLE, Wash – Governor Christine Gregoire on Tuesday signed into law a bill revising the burn-ban threshold, offering Washington state residents better protection from particulate matter from chimney smoke.

Under this new legislation (Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1302), burn bans will now be triggered by levels of PM2.5, the fine particles (or “soot”) associated with chimney smoke, among other sources. Fine particles from wood smoke are much more harmful to people than the coarse particles (PM10) on which the current threshold is based. Fine particle pollution also reaches unhealthy levels sooner than coarse particle pollution.

“This doesn’t mean there will be more burn bans, but they will be called earlier,” said Jim Nolan, Director of Compliance at the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. “We’ll be able to catch declines in air quality sooner, helping us issue burn bans in time to more effectively protect those affected by rising pollution levels.”

Key partners supporting this legislation include the American Lung Association of Washington, the Northwest Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, and the Department of Ecology.

Additional Resources

Background on the bill (HB 1302)

For more on Burn Bans

For tips on burning clean