Burn Ban called for King, Pierce and Snohomish counties

Jan. 13, 2007 – A Stage One Burn Ban is being called for King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, effective at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 13 and continuing through at least Monday. No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat*, and all outdoor burning is prohibited, even in areas where outdoor burning is not permanently banned.

As strong high pressure moves over the region, the combination of minimal winds and warming aloft is inhibiting the dispersion of pollutants and degrading air quality. The cold air mass over Western Washington is expected to remain through midweek, and the burn ban is likely to remain in effect through at least Monday.

Of particular concern are fine particles released by smoke from uncertified wood stoves and fireplaces. The Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse. Air pollution is especially harmful to children, people with heart and lung problems, and adults over age 65.

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted. In the meantime, here are some other things people can do to help protect the air we breathe:

• If you have a certified wood stove or fireplace insert, make sure you are using it properly so you don’t produce excess chimney smoke. Excess smoke is always illegal. To learn more about clean burning techniques or upgrading to a certified, pellet, natural gas or propane stove, visit www.burningclean.com .
• To determine if your stove is certified, visit the “Wood Stoves & Fireplaces” section of www.pscleanair.org .
  Limit your driving as much as possible, since vehicles are a big source of air pollution year round.
• Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.pscleanair.org . You can see how the Puget Sound region’s current and forecasted air-quality rate on the Air Quality Index, a color-coded system for rating the levels of pollution. Our goal is to “keep it in the green.”

For more information about Burn Ban regulations, you may refer to Chapter 173-433 of the Washington Administrative Code.

(Note: The Seattle Parks Department prohibits beach fires at Alki and Golden Gardens during the burn ban.)

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 and improves air quality by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, educating individuals and businesses about clean-air choices and sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality.

*Corrects omission from original news release