Burn ban reinstated

If it looks like this, assume a Burn Ban is in place
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

By Diane Hettrick

The Burn Ban was reinstated by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Tuesday afternoon. The official notice is below.

Truthfully, all you had to do was look out the door. You don't need a government agency to tell you that the air is full of smoke.

I was all over Shoreline on Tuesday. I can tell you that the smoke weather is just as zonal as our usual weather. The first time I went south Tuesday, most of Shoreline along I-5 was pretty clear - until 145th and south which was a fog.

During the rest of the day I drove in and out of smoke. Terrible at Central Market. Pretty clear at Shorewood. And then those probably reversed.

Here's the official words from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency:

~~~~~~~~~~~~

STAGE 1 BURN BAN CALLED FOR KING, KITSAP, PIERCE, SNOHOMISH COUNTIES

All outdoor burning is prohibited until air quality improves

With more wildfire smoke from British Columbia moving into our region, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is issuing a Stage 1 air quality burn ban for King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, effective at 2 PM today, August 8, 2017.

This ban is in effect until further notice and is in addition to existing fire safety burn bans.

With high pressure pushing more smoke into the Puget Sound area, we forecast levels that are UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS through Friday. We expect calm winds and smoke to settle daily. Saturday and onward, the area of high pressure should push eastward, bringing us back our more typical and cleaner air from the Pacific Ocean.

The purpose of the burn ban is to reduce any additional harm to sensitive populations from excess air pollution and is in addition to existing fire safety burn bans. The Clean Air Agency will continue to closely monitor the situation for purposes of air quality burn bans.

Children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with heart and breathing problems should avoid physical exertion outdoors. If possible, seek clean, air-conditioned indoor air (e.g. public libraries, "cooling centers", community and senior centers).

Visit pscleanair.org/burnban to view the current burn ban status, download our mobile app, and to find other burn ban alert options for your area.

STAGE 1 BURN BAN

• No outdoor or recreational burning allowed. 

NO

• Charcoal barbeques or similar solid fuel devices
• Fire pits, chimineas, fire bowls, or similar free-standing devices
• Campfires or bonfires
• Fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves, or uncertified inserts*
• Agricultural fires (as described in the agricultural burn permit)

* The only exception to using fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves or inserts, is if the homeowner has a previously approved 'No Other Adequate Source of Heat' exemption from the Clean Air Agency

Local fire districts do not grant Native American ceremonial fire permits outside of tribal lands during air quality burn bans.

It is OK to use natural gas and propane, grills, stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.

Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.