Many thanks to The Columbian and to Randy Peltier, operations manager of Southwest Clean Air Agency, for the Jan. 24 story “Wood stoves big part of Vancouver pollution.” The air quality of all of Clark County, not just Vancouver, is affected by wood smoke. The American Lung Association has given Clark County a grade of “D” when it comes to air quality. Peltier suggested that someone should introduce a bill to make the at-risk definition based on the most recent three years so that burn bans can be set at a lower threshold. Who should we ask to do that? Environmental Services Director Don Benton? Clark County Councilor Tom Mielke is on the Southwest Clean Air Agency’s board of directors.
I wish someone with more clout than I have would help. As it is, Clark County is the armpit of the Pacific Northwest when it comes to bad air quality, largely due to fireplaces and wood-burning stove use. Parts of Pierce County have banned the use of wood-burning fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves, which is not the case here. That’s not the answer, but it would be a start.
If you have an old wood stove, please contact the SWCAA’s $1,500 replacement program to change your heat source. After all, you, your children, parents and grandparents are breathing the toxic air, too.
