A ban on outdoor burning and the use of uncertified stoves and fireplaces is currently in place in Klickitat County.  The Washington Department of Ecology put the ban in place because stagnant conditions are predicted to return in these counties after a brief break, putting the communities at risk for unhealthy levels of air pollution.  In the first half of last week monitors showed elevated levels of air pollutants.  Fine particles from wood smoke can easily get into people’s lungs causing heart and breathing problems.  Under a Stage 1 ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited including residential, agricultural and forest burning.  Use of uncertified wood stoves, fireplaces, inserts, and other uncertified wood-burning devices are prohibited unless they are a home’s only adequate source of heat.  Cleaner burning certified wood stoves, pellet stoves and other certified wood-burning devices are allowed.  Up-to-date burn ban information is available at www.waburnbans.net.