Burning banned for many cities in 2007

Ephrata, Quincy, Othello, Soap Lake amongst prohibited

COLUMBIA BASIN — Residential and land-clearing burning is not allowed in smaller cities throughout Washington starting in 2007.

The new rules, part of the Washington Department of Ecology's Clean Air Act, impact several cities along with their Urban Growth Areas in Grant County. Those cities are Coulee City, Coulee Dam, Electric City, Ephrata, George, Grand Coulee, Hartline, Krupp, Mattawa, Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, Warden and Wilson Creek. Othello in Adams County is included in the ban.

In 2001, residential fires were banned from larger cities in the state, including Moses Lake.

Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager for the Department of Ecology, said the legislature realized growing cities do not want large amounts of smoke in the air.

The ban was phased in to give smaller cities time to develop yard waste disposal programs.

"Our community's not going to be happy about it," said Ephrata Fire Chief Jeremy Burns.

Two years ago, Ephrata was initially included in a residential fire burning ban, and the public was unhappy about it, Burns said. The biggest argument he received against it was that green material would take up landfill space.

The Department of Ecology is stressing alternatives to burning and dumping, such as composting, Burns said.

He adds the program is an unfunded mandate, which is one concern about the ban. Burns anticipated it would cost additional money for firefighters to enforce but hoped the police department and sheriff's office help. The fire department plans to provide the police department with updated information about the ban, he said.

The public complains about residential fires, he said.

"For every five fires that we have, that are outdoor burning, one in five does cause a nuisance for a neighbor," Burns said.

City Administrator for Ephrata Wes Crago said the city does not currently provide a composting program. The city held two public meetings on the ban and nobody from the public provided input.

The city council did not take action on the issue, Crago said. It did look at the possibility of working with the city of Quincy to provide services.

Quincy offers a composting service and wood grinding service. Quincy City Administrator Tim Snead said the city takes the compost and sells it to individuals and businesses.

Although the program does not pay for itself, Snead said it decreases Quincy's landfill contributions.

"We're inundated," Snead said of the program's popularity.

Redfield-Wilder said those who use wood-burning stoves should make sure fires burn small and hot and do not create smoke. To decrease smoke, let in more air when putting the damper on and burn dry wood instead of wet wood, she said.

In addition to creating smoke which settles into valleys, fires pose a hazard to homes.

"Any fire can get out of hand and out of control, and you're just increasing the odds," she said.

For more information on the burn ban, visit www.ecy.wa.gov.