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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 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.
Air Quality Awareness
May 2, 2012 - Heads Up: Particle Pollution Can Harm Your Heart!
You are doing a lot of things to keep your heart healthy. You eat right. You exercise. You do not smoke. Are you paying attention to air quality? If not, today is the day to start.
Air pollution, especially particle pollution, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Exposure to fine particles has been linked to heart attacks and strokes, and early death in people with heart disease.
What can you do? Do everything you are supposed to for good heart health. And pay attention to the Air Quality Index (AQI) especially if have heart disease, or you are at greater risk of a heart attack (including men over 45 and women over 55).
When the AQI forecast reaches Code Orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) make some adjustments to your exercise plans. Walking instead of running, or weeding your garden instead of moving a lot of heavy mulch, are just a couple of examples of things you can do to reduce the amount of pollution you breathe in when you exercise. And always exercise away from busy roads if you can: particle levels generally are higher in those areas.
Do not wait for symptoms to tell you if particles are affecting you: your first symptom could be a heart attack.
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