The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has no plans to change the Willamette Valley's field burning program in response to stricter federal air pollution standards. The biggest impact of new regulations is expected to be on wood-burning stoves.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to tighten the standard for fine particulate because new evidence shows that these very small particles get trapped deep in the lungs where they do more damage than previously thought.

DEQ has monitored air pollution at levels near the standard in over a dozen Oregon communities, and recent monitoring shows that at least two communities - Klamath Falls and Oakridge - will likely violate the new standard when EPA finalizes it later this year.

&#8220The biggest source of fine particle pollution in Oregon is older woodstoves," according to Andy Ginsburg, DEQ's Air Quality Administrator. On cold winter days, smoke from wood burning can get trapped under an inversion where it builds up to unhealthy levels. Smoke from diesel engines, industrial boilers and other sources also contribute to the problem, along with particles formed by reactions in the atmosphere. &#8220DEQ's main strategy to reduce fine particulate pollution is to help people with older high-emitting woodstoves replace them with cleaner new woodstoves or other types of heat," Ginsburg said.

The goal of the existing field burning program is to minimize smoke impacts on urban areas where the smoke can cause irritation, haze and health risks.

&#8220Field burning is a minor contributor to the problem addressed by EPA's proposed new standard," said Ginsburg," because it generally does not occur in the winter or near areas that are at risk of violations. Still, it is important to minimize exposure to any type of smoke because the burning process releases toxic air pollutants."

Under the program, the amount of field burning in Oregon has been reduced from over 300,000 acres a year in the 1960s to no more than 65,000 acres today. The average number of acres burned annually is approximately 50,000.

The field burning program is operated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.