Air quality reaches unhealthy levels during winter months
By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald
Harney County residents worried about whether or not they can keep using their wood stoves can put those concerns to rest … for now.
Recent news of Harney County’s increasing pollution levels have caused the City of Burns to take action. The city recently received a grant through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to participate in a Voluntary Pollution Advisory Program.
“It’s an education program to encourage people to look at what they’re doing with burn barrels and wood stoves,” said Interim Burns City Manager Bill Guindon.
Smoke in the air
While local concerns regarding air pollution probably focus on wood stove usage, which is a major component of the air pollution problem, local governments are more pre-occupied with how pollution might affect the area economically.
DEQ Air Quality Specialist for this region Larry Calkins said that DEQ has been monitoring Burns’ air quality for the last eight or nine years. In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that standards for the amount of fine particulate matter (also called PM2.5 and comes mostly from wood smoke) in the air was too high.
Guindon said that changes in federal and state standards have increased scrutiny on smaller towns such as Burns. Bigger cities in Oregon such as Portland, Salem and Eugene have had stricter pollution monitoring controls in place for many years now.
Calkins said that in 2006 DEQ talked with representatives from Burns, Hines, the county and Paiute Tribe to make sure everyone was aware of the air quality situation. DEQ is now carefully monitoring the PM2.5 levels here, and after a year and a half of collected data, Calkins said it looks as though Burns is on a path to non-attainment status where air quality is concerned. However, Calkins said it will take DEQ another year and half of testing PM2.5 levels before a formal federal non-attainment designation can be made.
If Harney County pollution levels increase, it could ultimately affect the cities’ and county’s ability to recruit businesses to this area — the economic repercussions of which would be substantial. Calkins said that any industrial businesses wanting to relocate to Harney County would have to meet stringent DEQ requirements before the necessary permits would be allowed.
Educating the public
The City of Burns plans to use its $5,000 grant to help educate locals on how they can reduce air pollution in Harney County. Guindon noted that the city is currently working on putting together an advisory program to let people know which days are better to burn on.
DEQ Air Quality Specialist Calkins said that while wildfire events such as the 2007 Egley Complex Fire affect the air quality in the summer months, those special events are accounted for in the data and identified as such. What concerns DEQ even more are spikes in PM2.5 readings during the winter months, specifically November through February, when levels reach unhealthy levels. Calkins said the cold weather combined with the fact that Burns is located in a flat basin with high elevation helps trap smoke near the ground creating unhealthy air for residents to breathe.
Calkins used the situation in Klamath Falls as an extreme example of how bad air quality can affect a community. Using a color coded system, Klamath Falls residents are notified during the winter when they can use their wood stoves and when they shouldn’t. Green and yellow days are OK for burning, but orange and red are not. In fact, Calkins said that residents can be fined by the county when they are caught using their wood stoves on poor air quality days.
Voluntary program
Calkins said that Burns is not in that dire situation yet. “At this point anyway, we are looking at a voluntary approach to wood stove curtailment on poor quality days,” Calkins said.
Burns Interim City Manager Guindon said there are a number of simple steps residents can take to reduce pollution on their own if they use wood stoves as their primary source of heat:
• use properly installed and vented EPA certified wood stoves;
• season firewood outdoors through the summer for at least six months. Properly seasoned wood is darker, has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when smacked against another piece of wood;
• store firewood outdoors, stacked neatly off the ground with the top covered;
• use clean newspaper and dry kindling to start fires;
• have the wood stove cleaned and inspected annually;
• don’t burn household trash or cardboard. Plastics and colored inks on magazines, boxes and wrappers give off toxic chemicals when burned;
• never burn coated, painted or pressure-treated wood, as it also releases toxic chemicals;
• never burn ocean driftwood, plywood, particle board or any wood with glue on or in it. They all release harmful chemicals when burned;
• never burn wet, rotted, diseased or moldy wood.
Guindon was quick to point out that this Voluntary Pollution Advisory Program in Burns does not involve fining people for using burn barrels or wood stoves. “This program is to help us prevent a non-attainment status,” Guindon said. “We’re not saying get rid of your wood stoves.”
Calkins agreed, saying that the focus of this voluntary program is to give residents enough information so they can decide whether or not they want to use their wood stoves on poor air quality days. “We’re not going to take away anyone’s wood stove,” he said.
In the future, the program could offer residents incentives, in the form of rebates, to buy EPA certified wood stoves. Calkins also said that new pellet stoves burn so efficiently they could likely even be used on red advisory days.
Guindon said that because fall leaf burning is part of the pollution problem, the City of Burns may also look at starting a composting program for leaves, which would be similar to what the City of Hines has in place.
Guindon also encouraged residents to recycle more, which would cut down on how often people have to use their burn barrels.
He views this program as a partnership with the community, which includes Burns, Hines, the tribe and rural Harney County. “It takes everyone working together,” Guindon said.
For more information on the Voluntary Pollution Advisory Program, call Guindon at Burns City Hall at 573-5255.
November 26th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Oh and the BLM and Forest Service prescribed burns do not pollute?
November 26th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Seems to me that the city should be focusing on economic development rather than worry about how much smoke is in the air. This is Harney County and wood stove and cows are a prt of life in Harney County.
This new fire chief needs to go back where he came from. But instead he will rip off the tax payers and move on when he is finished. He has already started this process. I have lived here all my life and he is the ONLY one who thinks he needs a tricked out Truck so he can be noticed.
Will make sure a overload my stove and maybe smoke him out
November 29th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Is the solution to the problem to curb residential use of fire as a heat source with NO incentives in place given the current economic situation? Maybe that $5,000 dollar grant can be put to use in the composting program the city “MAY” look at. Or we can continue to watch the pile of leaves, wood and yard debris at the dump burn for a week while air quality is very poor here in town. I thought we had to call Dispatch before we burned debris, does the Fire Chief not advise against burning when poor air quality is in the forecast? Incidentally, the Air Quality Index for much of the time while that pile burned up on the hill was “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” Quick update, the pile continues to burn, yet I see no smoke emanating from my neighbors chimneys. As to Ric D’s question; those burns do create pollution. However, those agencies coordinate with ODF which in turns coordinates with DEQ. I know I don’t call ODF when I fire up my woodstove, who does? But maybe that $5,000 could be put to use in figuring out how to utilize the biomass that the USFS and BLM burn annually. HUH, reduce fire risk, cleaner air, and improve the local economy. Not a new idea here; one many citizens, local and federal employees have tried to make happen for several years. Maybe with the blessing and a grant from the DEQ the community may be able to take another look at this issue.
The poor air quality in town is a symptom of larger issues. We have nowhere to get rid of yard debris but to burn it (air quality issue), wait for the spring clean up (where it gets burned later anyway), go to the dump for a fee (and of course you have to take time off of work to do that because of limited hours at the landfill) or fill your $18/mo garbage can with yard waste for weeks on end. One could also go dump your debris on the end of West A, B, C streets or behind Slater; but that’s illegal according to city ordinance. Wood smoke is also a symptom, not the problem. If you want me to burn less wood, help me get some money for new insulation and windows (most of us in Burns live in very old homes). Don’t waste money informing me that smoke is bad for my health, along with engine exhaust and dust (to name a few PM contributors). I think most people know these things. More wood smoke is also related to the economic status in the city. We lost a large employer (LP), I would imagine things have slowed at Monaco too. And on top of this, oil is expensive. We live near the woods and the Federal Government is practically giving it away, and in some cases they are! Help me utilize it by helping me get a more efficient woodstove. The problem is energy efficiency; the symptom is decreased air quality. The Federal Government and Oregon DEQ (websites below) provide information on tax incentives for woodstoves and other home improvements. There are already incentives for EPA certified woodstoves. Was Mr. Calkins saying that there would be additional incentives if the Pollution Advisory Program is enforced? Or just trying to sell me something that I can get for free already? Additionally, the DEQ also provides a wealth of information about air quality in relation to health, smoke forecasting, and how to use your woodstove more efficiently. That being said, I don’t know that $5,000 needs to be spent on information that could be easily accessed at home or the library via internet. Or for those without the means to look it up on the internet, perhaps the city could just run a few copies of the educational material that’s already available. Put it out in the mail, the city newsletter, or the paper. My guess is that it would cost less and be just about as effective. While the tax incentives are valuable for those that have the funds to make the improvements, they are out of reach for those that need help with the initial investment of energy efficient home improvement. That’s where the grants are needed, not telling the people of this town that smoke is bad for their health.
Biomass utilization= more jobs= more money and grants for efficient home improvement= equity and tax incentives realized for citizens= increased income and property value- increased tax revenues.
Pollution Advisory Program= another un-enforced ordinance in Burns and method to cite and impose fines on those that can’t afford more efficient heating sources.
It’s a shame that the administration of this city has chosen to buddy up with the DEQ to try to put a federally imposed band aid on a much larger issue.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits
http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/woodstoves/index.htm
November 29th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Yeah he needs “smoked out” in more ways than one!! I was happy to see Justin Boones letter to the editor this week in the paper. The only thing that makes me mad about it is that Justin was warned by several people, me included, about what Guindon was and is and Mr. Boone would not listen. But it looks like the blinders are finally starting to come off. I just hope and pray the come off all the way for everyone wearing them before its too late for the city of Burns and it finds itself broke beyond repair in more ways than one.
December 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
kudos to Justin Boone on his letter to the editor. Lets hope that the rest of the council and the new mayor are paying attention to the citizens of Burns. They (the council) need to get out and talk with the people and City employee’s (With regards to the latter) they (the employee’s) have a gag order and cannot talk to anyone, but at least talk with the people of Burns. The people of Haney County are not happy with this interim city manager and fire chief!
December 1st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I must say Justin Boone’s letter was a letter that NEEDED written. Yes kudos!! But the problem is is that the council, except for 2, is all in favor of Guindon. They think Guindon to be the greatest thing to happen to their town and he is. If you want to throw your money away. I want to know how in the world did Guindon rack up that much comp time? Is it REALLY from working as fire chief or is it from something else? I have NEVER seen a department head rack up nearly that much time!! It’s absurd to even think he could in the short time he’s been here.
And what on earth is Guindon thinking by wanting the Burns Citizens to not use their wood stoves? Is Guindon going to pay their oil or electric bills? Maybe he can with that comp time money. I understand that on days it’s not cold enough to constitute a fire then don’t make one but that’s pure common sense. Seriously folks, not using your wood stoves?
It seems Guindon is doing a fine job at least far as the council’s concerned thinking him such a gentleman. Yeah, a great guy with a calm demeanor and SUCH a way with words. Never to get upset or use FOUL language. You folks aught to attend a few council meetings. Not only would it help the council in realizing what truly needs to be done but also you might get to see Guindon at his best!
One more thing if the half of these letters got into the newspaper the way they do on this blog it might help too!
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Way to go Crimson (two thumbs up). You need to run for the city council. The only way to let people know about this blog is to get the word out. The people I have told didn’t even know about it, and I am sure the Burns City Council doesn’t know about it either. The problem with letters to the editor is that people have to leave their full names. This way it gives a person a bit of anonymity and let’s the public know what’s going on….inside. And yes I will have to agree with you, if you have ever had any dealings with Mr. Guindon, you know that this is a person who cannot keep his temper or his tongue! I feel for the people who have to work under this man. The city needs someone who can get along in AND with the community…..instead of trying to destroy it.
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
actually now the city council members should know about the blog. As I just copied all the blogs here and the blogs from the last “comp time” issues and sent them to the council members
December 5th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Just how big is Guindon’s salary? I know many officer’s in law enforcement that get comp time and I have never known any of them to build up that much comp time during a year’s time. And why is it that he wasn’t able to take any time off? I believe the City of Burns is getting a bad deal from this guy and they don’t even realize it yet.
December 8th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Not only is this guy ripping the city off, and driving a wedge between the city of hines and the county the city of burns just let him take a training trip to BOSTON… for a week!