Continuing cold weather and rising air pollution have prompted a Stage 2 burn ban in Pierce and Snohomish counties, effective at 11 a.m. today; a Stage 1 burn ban remains in effect for King and Kitsap counties, according to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. These bans are in effect until further notice.
High pressure remains over the region, with stagnant conditions that caused air quality to degrade significantly last night in parts of Pierce and Snohomish counties, triggering the need for a Stage 2 burn ban. Areas of King and Kitsap counties also experienced elevated air pollution, but not enough to warrant the more restrictive Stage 2 ban. Clean Air Agency forecasters expect little wind today and through this evening. Pollution levels will remain high today through this evening, especially in communities where residential wood burning is common. In these communities air quality is likely to reach levels considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
For details visit pscleanair.org
We make every effort to ensure that all burn ban announcements and restrictions are posted. Always call or visit your county and local clean air agency and check the DNR fire danger for the most current information.
Find out more information about RCW 70.94.473, WAC 173-425 and important key terms.
What is a stage 2 burn ban? What are the restrictions? I have electric baseboard heaters which are broke in the house. I have a wood burning stove at the other end of my house, it was there when I bought the house 20 years ago. I have no idea how to tell if it is a certifide wood stove. How do I tell if my stove is certified. I have just been released from St. Joes hospital in tacoma last Friday, due to thyroid removal surgery, which also affects my sensitivitie to the cold. Can I use my fireplace? Please respond asap. Thank you, Sue
Hi, Sue. Thank you for your inquiry. A Stage 2 ban prohibits the use of all wood-burning devices, including fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves, certified wood stoves and pellet stoves. Most certified wood stoves will have an EPA label on them. If your stove is over 20 years old, chances are it is NOT certified. If you know the manufacturer and model, you may be able to look it up on this list of wood stoves that meet Washington State Emission Standards: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/indoor_woodsmoke/pdfs/Wood_stoves.pdf
Washington rules allow for the use of wood-burning devices during a burn ban if they are your only adequate source of heat. If that’s the case, you do still need to practice clean burning by burning only dry, seasoned wood and emitting no visible smoke. It is always illegal to generate excessive smoke. We have some great tips and resources on our website on how to get maximum heat with minimal smoke — and pollution: http://www.pscleanair.org/actions/woodstoves/basics.aspx.
These and answers to other frequently-asked-questions can be found here:
http://www.pscleanair.org/airq/burnban/faqs.aspx
Thanks again for your inquiry.