Know the Code Burn Code Season Ends with fewer unhealthy days

Open burning in unincorporated Washoe County also has restrictions

The annual Keep It Clean –Know the Code program ended on February 29. 

Washoe County Health District Air Quality Management (AQM) uses the Keep It Clean – Know the Code Burn Code Program to inform area residents whether or not using their woodstoves, pellet stoves, or fireplaces is allowed in order to keep our air pollution levels within the Environmental Protection Agency’s health standard. The program runs annually from the first day of November through the last day of February.

During the 2015/2016 Know the Code Program, AQM notified Washoe County residents of eight Yellow and two Red burn codes. In general, this season’s air quality has been much improved over previous years according to health officials. The complete Know the Code 2015/16 calendar can be found at www.OurCleanAir.com.

“The Washoe County Health District and Air Quality Management thanks all of our partners, such as the National Weather Service, broadcast and print media, for providing timely air quality advisories to Keep it Clean,” said District Health Officer Kevin Dick. “It’s through community-wide cooperation, and in particular residents following the Burn Code recommendations, that we are able to reduce poor air quality days and keep our air clean and healthy,” Dick added.

The Know the Code program will resume on November 1, 2016.  To remain informed of the daily air quality index please subscribe to EnviroFlash at http://ourcleanair.enviroflash.info/.

Open Burning

The Truckee Meadows Fire Prevention will permit open burning beginning March 1, 2016. Open burning will be allowed, with a current burn permit, until TMFPD determines that fuel moistures and weather require burning to be closed. However, AQM points out that open burning is prohibited within the Truckee Meadows Hydrographic area (HA87).  To find out if your property is within or outside of HA87, go to http://wcgisweb.washoecounty.us/QuickMap/, click on the “Layers” tab, and check the box next to “Hydrobasins”. Locate your property on the map to find out if it is within or outside of “87 - Truckee Meadows”.  For more information go to https://www.washoecounty.us/tmfpd/burn-permit-form.php.