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SPECIAL NOTICE
Residential Burning
January 16, 2012 - Burning outside the permanent no-burn areas is allowed in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania, and Wahkiakum Counties.
In Clark County burning in areas outside the permanent no-burn area is limited to natural vegetation only. A free permit is necessary for all fires up to 10 x 10 x 6 feet and can be printed from our website or obtained from your local fire station. Piles larger than 10 x 10 x 6 feet require a written permit from the Clark County Fire Marshal's office. The Fire Marshal can be reached at 360-397-2186.
In Cowlitz County burning in areas outside the permanent no-burn area is limited to natural vegetation only. A free permit is necessary for all fires up to 10 x 10 x 6 feet and can be printed from our website or obtained from your local fire station. Piles larger than 10 x 10 x 6 feet require a written permit from the Southwest Clean Air Agency.
In Lewis County burning in areas outside the permanent no-burn area is limited to natural vegetation only. A free permit is necessary for all fires. Pile size varies with seasonal restrictions, and can be obtained from Lewis County Community Development. They can be reached at 360-740-1133.
In Skamania County burning is limited to natural vegetation only. A free permit is necessary for all fires up to 10 x 10 x 5 feet and can be obtained from your local fire station or at the Skamania Public Works Department. They can be reached at 509-427-3910. Piles larger than 10 x 10 x 5 feet require a written permit from the Southwest Clean Air Agency.
ln Wahkiakum County burning is limited to natural vegetation only. A free permit is necessary for all fires up to 4 x 4 x 3 feet and can be obtained from your local fire station or town hall. If your area does not provide these permits you can call 360-795-3067 or 360-465-2654 to request a permit. Piles larger than 4 x 4 x 3 and land clearing operation will need to contact Chuck Beyer at 360-795-3067.
FEATURE ARTICLE
Air Quality Awareness
May 17, 2012 - Know When You Can Breath Easy. May is Asthma Awareness Month. If you have asthma, you're among the millions of people more at risk from both particle pollution and ozone. Here's why: particle pollution can penetrate deep into the lungs, aggravating lung disease, triggering asthma attacks and bronchitis, and increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections. Ozone can inflame the airways, reduce lung function and make people more sensitive to allergens - all of which can be problems for people with asthma.
You can reduce your exposure to pollution by checking the Air Quality Index forecast for your area. If you have asthma, pay close attention when the forecast is for "code orange" (or even "code yellow" for some people). That's when it's a good idea to change your exercise plans so you don't breathe in as much pollution. Do something easier, for a shorter time, or at a time when the air quality is better. And make sure you follow your asthma action plan.
Read more with EPA's Flyer: Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution
Get AQI forecasts on the go! Download the AirNow app.
More info: AirNow.gov
See the NOAA Air Quality Forecast Guidance
Air Quality Awareness
May 3, 2012 - It's Not Just Ozone. Particle Pollution Matters, Too
You probably heard that ground-level ozone is bad for you. But did you know that there's another common pollutant that can harm your lungs and your heart?
If you've ever breathed in smoke from a wood fire or stood behind a dirty truck when it started up, you've been exposed to another type of pollution: particle pollution. Particle pollution comes from fires, wood stoves and tailpipes. But it also forms in the atmosphere from pollution from power plants, industries, cars, trucks and construction equipment, meaning people across the country can be exposed.
You can't always see this pollution. One fine particle is 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less - much smaller around than a human hair. Because they're so small, these particles can get deep into your lungs and cause serious problems, ranging from aggravated asthma, to heart attacks to early death in people with heart or lung disease.
There's no single season for particle pollution. Depending on where you live, particles can be a problem at any time of year! In some areas, particle pollution comes mainly from sources like woodstoves; in others, emissions from power plants, industries and motor vehicles react to form particle pollution in the atmosphere.
You can use the Air Quality Index, and the AirNow.gov website to learn more about particle pollution in your area - and how to stay healthy.
SWCAA Woodstove Replacement Program
January 19, 2012 - Woodstove Replacement Program now online!!!
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SWCAA NEWS
May is National Bike Month
May 2, 2012 - Spring into action this month by parking your car and riding your bike to work, school or other activities. It is National Bike Month, a great opportunity to reduce pollution and promote clean air in your community.
For every gallon of fuel burned a car emits 20 pounds of pollution, a bicycle on the other emits zero pollution!
Biking not only improves air quality but offers numerous health benefits to the bicyclist!
Ready to get on your bike yet? Here are some resources to get you started.
WA Department of Transportation
Vancouver Bicycle Club
Bicycle Alliance of Washington
City of Vancouver Bicycle Maps
Clark County Smart Commuter