<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>YAKIMA -- A light rain overnight didn&rsquo;t help much to improve air quality in Yakima County.<br /><br />The Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency has extended through Wednesday a countywide ban on all outdoor burning and the use of most home wood-based heating devices.<br /><br />A stable air mass and a lack of wind have allowed pollution levels to rise.<br /><br />Young children and the elderly who are most susceptible to breathing problems should take precautions such as limiting outdoor activities, the authority said.<br /><br />The Stage 2 ban now in effect prohibits all outdoor burning and the use of even certified home-heating appliances. Wood stoves or fireplaces that constitute a home&rsquo;s sole source of heat are exempt.<br /><br /><em>-- David Lester</em></p> WEB, LOCAL 2008-12-01T20:07:35Z false 2008-12-02T20:07:36Z Thick air, burn ban continue for Yakima Valley 9711 thick-air-burn-ban-continue-for-yakima-valley Web Story Yakima Herald-Republic 2008-12-01T20:07:00Z $n$ Thick air, burn ban continue for Yakima Valley published WEB Edited 2008-12-02T14:40:12Z 5