NEWS RELEASE
November 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dan A. Nelson, ORCAA Public Information Officer, Ext. 111
Something to be Thankful for: Volunteer Efforts Aid Air Quality
Last week's call for voluntary reductions in outdoor burning and the use of woodstoves proved that residents do care about air quality.
While regional weather forecasts continue to call for air stagnation through the holiday weekend, the levels of air pollution have not risen above moderate levels. That in turn helped our region avoid a mandatory burn ban.
The better-than-expected air quality is a direct result of residents who complied with the voluntary burn ban called for by the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA).
"We have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season,' said ORCAA spokesman Dan Nelson. "While conditions were perfect last weekend for the development of poor air quality through the region, the residents of western Washington really came through to help ensure our air quality didn't degrade into unhealthful levels."
With a strong high pressure weather system sitting over the region, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued an Air Stagnation Alert last week. Because of the inversion created by that high pressure, a stagnant layer of air was trapped near ground level. Whatever we put into that layer of air stays there until the weather changes.
ORCAA and other air agencies throughout the state asked residents to reduce all activities that contribute to air pollution - including burning yard waste, using their woodstoves or fireplaces, and excessive driving - and people responded. As a result, the air quality remained in the good to moderate ranges throughout the region and there was no need for a burn ban.
But the danger is not yet over. The NWS has extended the Air Stagnation Alert for much of our region at least through Thanksgiving Day and there is a risk that pollution levels could rise.
"We are asking people to make Thanksgiving a safe and healthy holiday for their families, friends and neighbors," Nelson said. "The response to our request for voluntary reductions was great last week, and we expect to see that continue this week."
* * *
The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency protects and enhances air quality for citizens in Thurston, Mason, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Pacific counties by enforcing federal, state and local air quality regulations. If you have questions specific to the topic above, or just general questions about local air quality, contact ORCAA at (360) 586-1044 or 1-800-422-5623, or visit ORCAA's website, www.orcaa.org.