DEC Burn Waivers, Air Quality Text Alerts For This Winter
- For immediate release — October 17, 2019
- Contact: Cindy Heil, 907-269-7579
Fairbanks, AK — The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is accepting applications for Stage 1 and No Other Adequate Source of Heat (NOASH) waivers from Fairbanks and North Star Borough residents in order to use a fireplace, woodstove, or other wood-based heating system when burning is restricted due to poor air quality. All waivers from the prior winter have expired, and those who need a waiver must submit a new application.
Wood smoke from home heating in the winter, coupled with temperature inversions and other natural conditions, is a main contributor to the poor air quality in the Fairbanks and North Star Borough area. DEC issues air quality alerts when forecasts predict that atmospheric conditions will keep wood smoke close to the ground. Stage 1 and Stage 2 air alerts are called based on increasing levels of smoke particles in the air. When these alerts are in effect, burning wood or other materials is restricted, or curtailed.
Homes or businesses with NOASH waivers may burn during Stage 1 and Stage 2 air alerts. Those with Stage 1 waivers may only burn during Stage 1 air alerts and may not burn during a Stage 2 air alert. Detailed information on the Stages and restrictions that apply under each Stage is available on the DEC Curtailment Details page.
Waiver applications are available on the DEC Control Measure Requirements page. DEC will accept paper or online applications. Paper applications must be notarized before they are sent in, and can be brought in person to the DEC office where a notary is available.
DEC will post Stage 1 and Stage 2 air quality alerts to the Air Quality Advisories page. Those who are interested can sign up to receive alerts via text or email, and alerts will be posted to DEC’s Twitter, Facebook and Burn Wise Facebook accounts.
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