The Northwest Clean Air Agency has detected fine smoke particles in the air in the Columbia Valley area periodically since November 7.
The air quality is often worse in this area in the evenings because more people are home using wood stoves, and the cold weather and nearby mountains can trap smoke close to the ground.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency is asking residents in the Columbia Valley to refrain from burning when air conditions are poor – including burning wood for heat and recreation.
The agency says you can reduce smoke from wood fires by always burning a small, hot fire, and consider using manufactured logs because they burn cleaner than cut wood.
Columbia valley residents should check air quality conditions at nwcleanair.org before lighting wood stoves.
