Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Frequently Asked Questions about Air Quality Burn Bans

We've compiled answers to your frequently asked questions to help assure you have the facts before you burn.


What is a burn ban?

An air-quality burn ban is a mandatory, yet temporary, order that restricts the use of wood stoves and fireplaces, as well as outdoor burning, when air quality is degraded and human health may be adversely impacted. For more information, visit: www.pscleanair.org/burnban .

Air-quality burn bans typically occur during fall and winter months and may last for up to a week or more. For more information on the history of burns bans, visit www.pscleanair.org/airq/burnban/historicalrecord.aspx .


Who can issue a burn ban?

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has regulatory authority to issue burn bans in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, in accordance with RCW 70.94.473.


Why do you call burn bans?

The smoke from burning wood and wood-based products contains fine particles (soot) and a toxic mix of other carcinogens, which are harmful to your health, particularly for young children, older adults and people with respiratory and heart disease. During stagnant weather conditions, concentrations of wood smoke can reach harmful levels, so we restrict wood smoke emissions to protect air quality in our neighborhoods and the health of those living there.


Where do you call burn bans?

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency calls burn bans by entire county for our jurisdiction, which includes King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. For example, a burn ban could be in effect for one or more counties, but not necessarily all four counties.  And a burn ban could be in effect in counties outside Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s jurisdiction. Burn bans for other counties or tribal lands are issued by other local air agencies, the Washington Department of Ecology or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To find the entity that serves your area, visit www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/PDFS/Control_Officers.pdf (PDF 0.1MB). 


How are burn ban conditions determined?

Following state burn ban requirements:

  • We will call Stage 1 burn bans on the basis of weather conditions and rising pollution levels – when we predict we may violate air quality standards.
  • We will call Stage 2 burn bans when fine particle pollution levels reach a trigger value set by state law.

For more information: www.pscleanair.org/airq/burnban/background.aspx .


How can I find out when a burn ban has been issued or cancelled?

The best way is to sign up for our Clean Air Newsline to receive electronic notification of burn bans. You'll be among the first to know when burn bans are issued and cancelled, or advised when weather conditions indicate a ban is likely. Alternately, you can:

  1. Check the Air Actions box in the upper right corner of our home page and most pages on our Web site for burn ban status. This box is always current.

  2. Call our burn ban hot line at:  1-800-595-4341

What’s the difference between a Stage 1 and Stage 2 burn ban?

  • During a Stage 1 burn ban:
    • No burning is allowed in wood-burning fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves or uncertified fireplace inserts unless this is your only adequate source of heat.
    • Even those using a certified device or those for whom this is their only adequate source of heat cannot generate visible smoke.
    • All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes wood- and charcoal-fueled recreational fires.
  • 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, unless this is your only adequate source of heat.
    • Even those for whom this is their only adequate source of heat cannot generate visible smoke.
    • All outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned. This includes wood- and charcoal-fueled recreational fires.

How do you know if I’m violating the burn ban?

Where there is smoke, there is likely fire and non-compliance with the burn ban. Our agency inspectors are trained to read smoke and to determine if visible smoke is in violation of state opacity laws (20 percent opacity for six consecutive minutes). 

If you have a device that is legal to use during a Stage 1 burn ban or if this is your only adequate source of heat, you still have the responsibility to burn cleanly and not emit visible smoke. Make sure you are using only seasoned, dry firewood. Don’t damper down your stove as choking your fire of air will cause smoke. Check your chimney periodically. If you see smoke, your fire needs more air.

It is always illegal to generate excessive smoke, defined as 20 percent opacity or more, even when a burn ban is not in effect.

For more information:

 

What is the penalty for violating a burn ban?

If agency inspectors observe a burn ban violation, they will issue a Notice of Violation to the property owner and recommend a $1,000 penalty.

 

How can I tell if my wood stove or fireplace insert is certified, allowing me to use it during a Stage 1 ban?

If your device is certified, there should be a label on the back of your wood stove or on top of your fireplace insert indicating it complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emission standards.


What if I rely on my wood stove because oil (or electricity, or propane) is too expensive?

We rarely have more than one or two burn bans each winter, with each lasting only a few days to a week. On these few days, the use of your (primary) clean heating device is expected in order to keep air quality healthy for you, your family, and your neighbors. The exception is if your wood stove is your only adequate source of heat. 


What does "adequate source of heat" mean?

The definition of "adequate source of heat" under state law [Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-433-030(1)] states:  "Adequate source of heat" means the ability to maintain 70 degrees Fahrenheit at a point three feet above the floor in all normally inhabited areas of a dwelling.


But how do you know if my wood stove or pellet stove is my only adequate source of heat?

The resident must make this determination.  If you determine that you need to use your wood stove during a burn ban to provide adequate heat, you still may not generate visible smoke.


What if my furnace or other home heat is not adequate?

If your primary heat source is not adequate, you may supplement that heat with your pellet or wood stove during a burn ban. However, you are still required to minimize smoke from a wood stove by burning only dry wood with small, hot fires and giving the fire plenty of combustion air.  If agency inspectors observe a burn ban violation – smoke in excess of 20-percent opacity for six consecutive minutes – they will issue a Notice of Violation to the property owner and recommend a $1,000 penalty. 


Can I use my barbecue grill during a burn ban? What about my chiminea?

Charcoal barbecues and other outdoor wood-burning devices such as chimineas or fire bowls are considered ‘recreational fire’ devices. Recreational fires using solid fuel – such as charcoal or wood – are always prohibited during air-quality burn bans.

Recreational fires are defined in state law as cooking fires and charcoal barbecues, campfires and bonfires that occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure or ceremonial purposes. Fires lit in chimineas, fire pits, fire bowls and similar free-standing devices, fall under this definition.

The use of propane and natural gas grills and patio heaters are allowed during a burn ban.

For more information, see the Washington Administrative Code Section 173-425-050(3a).


What about manufactured logs designed for fireplaces, like Duraflame or Javalogs – can I use them during a burn ban?

No. During a burn ban a fireplace may not be used, even with cleaner-burning manufactured logs.  However, manufacturered logs suitable for a wood-burning stove may be used in an EPA certified device during a Stage 1 burn ban.

When a burn ban is not in effect, however, manufactured logs are a wonderful alternative to cord wood for fireplace fires. They produce approximately 70 percent less pollution than cord wood. Should you opt for manufactured logs, please note that many varieties are not suitable for wood stoves and fireplace inserts – check the guidelines on the wrapper to ensure compatibility with your device.


What happens if there is a power outage – and maybe my telephone lines are down as well? How do I know if there is a burn ban and can I use my wood stove then?

We recognize the importance of providing heat for your family. If your only option is a wood stove, we understand your need to use it. However, you must minimize smoke by burning properly.