Burn Ban Elevated in Snohomish County; Stagnant Air Expected Through Weekend

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is elevating Pierce and Snohomish Counties to a Stage 2 burn ban to protect residents from worsening air quality. These bans are in effect until further notice.

The high pressure center offshore means continued calm winds and stagnant air.  Air quality reached levels unhealthy for sensitive groups on Monday night in both Pierce and Snohomish counties (parts of unincorporated Woodinville are in Snohomish County).

Clean Air Agency forecasters do not expect adequate ventilation to reduce pollution over the next 24 hours.

A very weak weather system is expected Wednesday evening, which may temporarily break up some of the pollution, but the air stagnation is expected to continue into the weekend.

During a Stage 2 burn ban:

• No burning is allowed in any wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet 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 chimineas.
• Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

It is OK to use natural gas and propane stoves or inserts during a Stage 2 burn ban.

Information from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency