Air quality burn ban activated in Maple Falls area

MAPLE FALLS, Wash. — The Northwest Clean Air Agency announced a Stage 1 air quality burn ban for the Maple Falls / Columbia Valley area due to harmful wildfire smoke impacting local air quality.

Outdoor burning is not allowed during a Stage 1 air quality burn ban. Home heating with fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves is also prohibited.

The ban could be elevated to Stage 2 if conditions worsen officials said. A Stage 2 ban would apply to agricultural burning, to recreational burning, including campfires and fire pits and to both uncertified and certified woodstoves as well as fireplaces.

This air quality burn ban is separate from and in addition to fire safety burn bans already in effect because of fire danger in Whatcom County.