28 degrees as I type this and want to fire up the insert, but we have a stage 2 burn ban in our county and I can not. Happens a few times each burning season usually when its really cold outside( I posted something about it last year) and usually lasts a couple days till we get some wind / moistue off the pacific Pages - Burn Bans Observe burn bans. When the air agency declares a burn ban, it is unlawful to use your fireplace or uncertified wood stove, unless this is your only source of adequate heat. During Stage 2 Burn Bans it is also unlawful to use pellet stoves and certified wood stoves. Sign up for burn ban alerts here under Email Notifications. During a Stage 1 burn ban: No burning is allowed in wood-burning fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves or uncertified fireplace inserts unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Even those using a certified device or those for whom this is their only adequate source of heat cannot generate visible smoke. All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes wood- and charcoal-fueled recreational fires. During a Stage 2 burn ban: No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Even those for whom this is their only adequate source of heat cannot generate visible smoke. All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes wood- and charcoal-fueled recreational fires. If our inspectors observe a burn ban violation, they will issue a Notice of Violation to the property owner. Notices of Violation carry a maximum fine of up to $1,000.
I'm gonna keep my mouth shut, but I will say that an out door burn ban I would be ok with, but inside my home, they can pound sand.
I have mixed feelings, some stoves create so little air pollution when run properly that the effect to overall air quality would my miniscule, but this is assuming EVERYONE with a burning appliance knows how to use it properly. The other thing is with the damp dense air over there and the hilly terrain the smoke that is made just sits in the place its made. All in all, sorry to hear about your ban.
Must be an 'inversion issue. Around Missoula it can be a real problem. Not funny for folks with breathing problems. Generally not good for anyone's lungs. Guess it's the price paid for living in an amazingly beautiful piece of God's creation. No intent to offend anyone but there are reasons.
Even those for whom this is their only adequate source of heat cannot generate visible smoke. Where can I find wood that burns with invisible smoke?
you get a 6 minute window where you can emit smoke during startups and reloads Watch your chimney smoke. Generating excessive smoke is not only un-neighborly, it's illegal. Under state regulations, smoke from your chimney cannot exceed 20 percent opacity (as shown in the left panel in the image to the right) for six consecutive minutes in any one-hour period. Greater smoke densities could result in fines from air pollution control officials. Pages - Wood Burning and the Law
and in case you were wondering what adequate source of heat means to them What if burning wood is the only way I can heat my home? In some cases, using a wood burning device may be the only way to adequately heat your home. If you believe this is true for your home, you may apply for “no other adequate source of heat” exemption through our agency. You must apply and be approved for this exemption before using your wood burning device during an air quality burn ban. Apply Here. How do you know if my heater is adequate or not? The “no other adequate source of heat” exemption was designed to identify homes that have no other way, besides wood burning, to adequately heat their homes. We must determine if the heating system that was designed for your home can effectively heat it. The assessment is based on the adequacy of the whole system’s heating capacity, including any parts of the heating system that may have been disconnected, damaged, or simply aren’t working. A heating calculation is made based on the building structure and other aspects of the home, such as: Heating system & total heating output Insulation Window type Age Square footage Exemption application decisions are made strictly on the heating calculation results. The regulation clearly states that an adequate source of heat is based on the “adequacy of the design on the system’s capability prior to the disconnection, damage, improper maintenance, malfunction, occurrence that rendered the system nonfictional.” We are unable to make any exceptions. We cannot take into consideration: Your income level. Ability to pay heating bills. Whether your system is working. What if I rely on my wood stove because my other heat source is too expensive? Typically air quality burn bans only last for a few days and during that time we ask that you come up with another way to stay warm temporarily. Our goal is not to create hardship, but to allow for pollution levels to come back into a healthy range so everyone has healthy air to breathe. When pollution levels begin to rise on cold winter days, calling a burn ban is always carefully considered. We only call burn bans when pollution levels get high enough that it is necessary to do so to protect public health, including the health of you and your family as well as your community. Our furnace is broken. Can we use our woodstove during the burn ban? Whether your heating system hasn’t worked for years or it broke last night, you must still follow the burn ban. The only way to be exempt from a burn ban is to have an approved “no other adequate source of heat” exemption from our agency. If you think you might qualify, apply here. Typically air quality burn bans only last for a few days. If you do not have an approved exemption prior to a burn ban, we ask you to temporarily explore another way to stay warm until the burn ban is lifted. My application for a “no other adequate source of heat” was approved. What now? You may continue to burn wood cleanly during air quality burn bans for the time period stated on your approval letter from our agency. Regardless of your exemption status, the smoke density coming from your chimney must be less than 20% in opacity at all times or you can still receive an opacity violation. For more information on burning cleanly, please visit the Wood Burning & The Law tab above. My application for a “no other adequate source of heat” was denied. What now? If your application was denied due to “insufficient information” you may reapply. We are unable to make determinations if any information is missing, so applications are denied. Make sure to carefully fill out the entire application so a determination can be made. If your application was denied for any other reason, you must follow any air quality burn bans issued by our agency. Typically air quality burn bans only last for a few days so we ask you to temporarily explore another way to stay warm until the burn ban is lifted. If you feel this decision was made in error or you have any questions, please use the contact information listed on the letter of denial that was sent to talk to someone. I can’t stay warm in my home without burning wood – where can I go for assistance? Depending on where you live and your individual circumstances, you may be able to take advantage of rebates and assistance. Visit Rebates and Assistance for more information.
I educated myself a little more about this phenomenon, good reading here... Inversion (meteorology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I have only been in WA state less than 3 years, but I can say it is one of the better places I have lived. No income taxes in nice. The laws concerning wood stoves are a little strong, but they have not caused me any problems to date, and I have an older stove. All the same, I am looking forward to install in the new 30-NC in the spring. Greg
the only reason you are allowed to burn in Spokane County right now is because there are still many people who are out of power. otherwise I am sure it would be in a stage 1 with most other eastern Wa counties Spokane County | WA Burn Bans
