High pressure is building east of the Cascade Mountains through the weekend. Dry, stagnant air is expected in Pierce County, resulting in rising air pollution, especially in communities where residential wood burning is common. With stagnant conditions expected to continue through the weekend and beyond, pollution levels could reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category at some locations.

For details, visit pscleanair.org.

High pressure has been building over the Puget Sound region, resulting in very cold and stagnant weather conditions. Air pollution is building up in Pierce County, especially in communities where residential wood burning is common. With stagnant conditions expected to continue through tomorrow, pollution levels could reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category at some locations. For details visit pscleanair.org.

Agency forecasters were tracking a new weather system expected to arrive last night.  Winds from that system are now dispersing the air pollution that built up across the Puget Sound over the past week.

We appreciate the public’s cooperation with the burn ban. We encourage people to check current air quality and burn ban status before they burn. Conditions can change quickly this time of year. To check burn ban status:

1. Sign up for clean air news where you can:
   1. Receive e-mail notification of burn bans
   2. Follow us on Twitter/Facebook
   3. Subscribe to R.P.I.N. and EnviroFlash
2. Visit our Web site www.pscleanair.org
3. Call our burn ban InfoLine at 1-800- 595-4341

For those who heat with wood, please remember that it is always illegal to emit excess chimney smoke or to smoke out your neighbor, burn ban or not. You know you are burning properly when you do not see any smoke coming from your chimney. And burning garbage is always illegal.

For more information:

• Updated air pollution data and forecasts
• Frequently asked questions about burn bans
• How to heat efficiently and cleanly
• Sign up for clean air news

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The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is an air quality management agency serving King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Created as a result of the 1967 Washington Clean Air Act, the agency protects public health by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, educating individuals and businesses about clean-air choices and sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality.

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

To protect residents from worsening air quality, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is issuing a Stage 1 burn ban for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, effective at 4:00 p.m. January 11, 2012, until further notice. 

High pressure over the Puget Sound region will bring cold temperatures and calm winds, according to Clean Air Agency forecasters. Air quality is expected to deteriorate at least through Friday, especially in communities where residential wood burning is common.

Clean Air Agency staff follow a protocol set by state law to determine when and where to issue a burn ban, and when to lift a burn ban.

During a Stage 1 burn ban:

• No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood 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, propane, pellet and EPA certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to people with lung and heart problems, people with diabetes, children, and older adults (over age 65).

The purpose of a burn ban is to reduce the amount of pollution that is creating unhealthy air. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation.

For more information:

• Updated air pollution data and forecasts
• Frequently asked questions about burn bans
• How can one tell if their wood stove is certified, and OK to use during a Stage 1 burn ban?  Age matters – if the stove is over 20 years old, it is likely uncertified and prohibited for use during a burn ban.  Uncertified wood stoves are no longer legal to sell or purchase in the State of Washington due to the significant pollution they generate.  A certified stove will have an EPA label on the back.

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The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is an air quality management agency serving King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Created as a result of the 1967 Washington Clean Air Act, the agency protects public health by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, educating individuals and businesses about clean-air choices and sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality.