The bans, which began on November 27 and will continue subject to air conditions, prohibit all outdoor and agriculture burnings. It applies to camping and recreational fires, but ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt. Additionally, the EPA is requesting that residents not use woodstoves and fireplaces unless they are necessary as a home’s only adequate heat source. The agency is also asking those living on the reservations to limit other activities leading to air pollution, like diving and idling of vehicles.
Elevated levels of air pollution can had adverse affects on community health, especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with diseases like diabetes, heart conditions, asthma and other respiratory afflictions. Any reservation residents in those groups are encouraged to avoid strenuous activity outdoors as much as possible until the air quality improves.
The EPA’s bans are in effect in the following reservations: Lummi Reservation, Nooksack Reservation, Upper Skagit Reservation, Sauk-Suiattle Reservation, Stillaguamish Reservation, Tulalip Reservation, Snoqualmie Reservation, Puyallup Reservation, Muckleshoot Reservation, Nisqually Reservation, Spokane Reservation, Colville Reservation and Yakama Reservation.
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