State issues Mid-Columbia fines for illegal burning

The Washington State Department of Ecology issued nine fines for burning prohibited materials in Mid-Columbia counties in the second quarter of 2016.

Illegal burning accounted for all of the Mid-Columbia environmental penalties from April through June, according to a recently released roundup from the state.

Burning trash and debris pollutes the air, including with possible toxic chemicals.

In Mesa, Nathaniel Koehn and Marvin Shollenberger paid a $2,500 fine for burning apple boxes and other prohibited materials. In Starbuck, Cheryl Fagalde was fined $1,100 for burning prohibited materials.

The other fines were in Grant County, including several in Quincy. The Quincy Columbia Irrigation District and Halme Construction are appealing a $2,500 fine for burning prohibited material.

In Royal City, B&G Farms and Farrah Wardenar have appealed a $5,000 penalty after being accused of burning metal, plastic and lumber. Black Hawk Orchards of Royal City paid a $2,000 fine for burning prohibited materials and leaving the burn pile unattended.

In Warden, John Mathews was fined $1,000 for burning prohibited materials and Elfren Martinez paid a fine of $1,500 for burning prohibited materials.

This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 6:54 PM with the headline "State issues Mid-Columbia fines for illegal burning."