Due to stagnant weather conditions and rising air pollution, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency elevated Snohomish County to a Stage 2 burn ban, effective at noon, Jan. 1. The ban remains in effect until further notice.

Thursday night, air pollution levels in Snohomish County increased further. Cold temperatures and calm winds are expected to continue into Friday, which will allow pollution levels to again build rapidly; especially in areas where wood burning is common.

The purpose of a burn ban is to reduce the amount of pollution that is creating unhealthy air usually due to excessive wood smoke. The Clean Air Agency will continue to closely monitor the situation.

During a Stage 2 burn ban:

• No burning is allowed in any wood-burning fireplaces, certified or uncertified wood stoves or fireplace inserts. 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 the homeowner has a previously approved ‘No Other Adequate Source of Heat’ designation from the Clean Air Agency
• 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.

The Clean Air Agency also is calling for a Stage 1 burn ban in King County and is elevating Pierce County to a Stage 2 burn ban. The Stage 2 burn ban continues in Darrington.

For more information, go here.