Title
Briefing on the Olympia Regional Clean Air Agency’s (ORCAA) Rule Change on Outdoor Recreational Fires
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the Olympia Regional Clean Air Agency’s (ORCAA) rule change allowing outdoor recreational fires within the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. Briefing only; No action is requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on ORCAA’s rule change allowing outdoor recreational fires within the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater.
Staff Contact:
Randy Haines, Interim Assistant Chief, Fire Marshal, Olympia Fire Department, 360.753.8458
Presenter(s):
Randy Haines, Interim Assistant Chief, Fire Marshal
Background and Analysis:
In 1968, the Olympia Regional Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) was established as a regulatory and enforcement authority for air quality issues in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties. Effective March 6, 2023, ORCAA made a rule change allowing outdoor recreational fires in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. ORCAA initiated this rule change to align the three cities (Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater) with the remainder of the cities in the state.
The previous rule not allowing outdoor recreational burning was put in place as one of many measures to improve air quality. Since that time, the region’s air quality has improved to the point where ORCAA no longer feels that this rule is necessary. ORCAA has determined that this rule change will not have a significant environmental impact.
ORCAA has provided an updated tri-fold brochure that outlines proper campfire etiquette and outdoor recreational fire requirements.
Climate Analysis:
The impacts of this rule change have been applied through the lens of the Climate Framework, and it is believed that this rule change permitting outdoor recreational fires will increase greenhouse gas emissions. ORCAA is the regulating agency and is responsible for making the change.
Equity Analysis:
The impacts of this change have been applied through the lens of the Equity Framework. The groups impacted by this change include the unhoused residents, the housed residents, the business owners and their employees, and the visitors of Olympia.
Both the housed and unhoused residents will benefit most from this rule change. Allowing recreational fires for these groups will remove the barrier of recreating around an outdoor fire, one of the true pleasures of being outdoors with friends and family.
Where there is burning, there is smoke. All groups identified above will be impacted by the products of combustion, but these impacts can be mitigated when following campfire etiquette and outdoor recreational fire requirements.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
If a neighbor is negatively impacted by another’s outdoor recreational fire smoke, the neighbor can report the nuisance smoke to ORCAA. In the event, the Fire Department is called, the responsible party can be required to extinguish the fire per ORCAA requirements. If the responsible party refuses, their information can be forwarded to ORCAA for enforcement and a potential fine.
Options:
1. Receive a briefing on the Olympia Regional Clean Air Agency’s (ORCAA) rule change allowing outdoor recreational fires within the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater.
2. Receive the briefing another time.
3. Do not receive the briefing.
Financial Impact:
None at this time.
Attachments:
Presentation
ORCAA 2023 Campfire Brochure