Burn Ban issued for King County

Due to continuing stagnant weather conditions and additional increases in air pollution levels, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is issuing a Stage 1 burn ban for King County, elevating Snohomish County to Stage 2, and continuing the Stage 1 in Pierce County; effective at 12:00pm Sunday, December 8, 2013. The bans are in effect until further notice.

During a Stage 1 burn ban:

• No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home's other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. The only exception is if a wood stove is a home's only adequate source of heat.
• No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimneys.
• Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

It is OK to use natural gas, propane, pellet and EPA-certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.