King county burn ban until 6am Thursday

Due to continued weather conditions and air pollution levels, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for King County, effective today at 12 PM.

The burn ban will be lifted as of 6 AM tomorrow, November 20th.

All wood burning prohibited, including pellet stoves.

Outdoor burning prohibited. 

The front expected this evening is showing rain and winds that will clear the air. However, daytime winds will not be sufficient to significantly reduce pollution levels in King and Pierce counties, especially in areas where wood burning is common.

The purpose of a burn ban is to reduce the amount of pollution that is creating unhealthy air usually due to excessive wood smoke. The Clean Air Agency will continue to closely monitor the situation.

During a Stage 2 burn ban:

1. No burning is allowed in any wood-burning fireplaces, certified or uncertified wood stoves or fireplace inserts. 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.
2. The only exception is if the homeowner has a previously approved 'No Other Adequate Source of Heat' designation from the Clean Air Agency
3. No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimneys.
4. Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.
5. It is OK to use natural gas and propane stoves or inserts during a Stage 2 burn ban.

You can download the free app: Burn Ban 411, for up to date information on burn bans throughout the Puget Sound area. Visit the Burn Ban Status page and click the Mobile App tab.