A stage 1 burn ban has been called for Snohomish, King, Pierce, Kitsap, Kitittas and Clark counties by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the use of fireplaces and uncertified wood stoves was prohibited unless they are a home’s only source of heat.
Newer, environmentally certified stoves and pellet stoves may still be used.
The ban is being called because the presence of cold, stagnant air in the region exacerbates the effect of smoke on air quality.
The ban will remain in effect until air quality improves, which is not expected to occur until Friday at the earliest, according to weather forecasts.
During a stage 2 ban, all burning is prohibited, including from certified wood stoves and pellet stoves. Bans are enforced primarily on a by-complaint basis. Violations are subject to fines of $1,000 per day.
For more information go to http://tinyurl.com/7dcsn2f or call 800-595-4341.
To be notified when a burn ban begins or is lifted, go to pscleanair.org/signup.
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