The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issued a stage two burn ban for King, Kitsap and Pierce counties today, Dec. 9, The A stage two burn ban for Snohomish County was issued on Tuesday and remains in effect.

The burn ban comes as a result of stable weather conditions and elevated air pollution levels according to the agency.

A press release from the agency stated stable weather conditions, combined with heavy use of wood-burning devices in our region, have created pollution levels that are unhealthy for sensitive group populations (the very young, elderly and those individuals with heart and lung ailments). These weather conditions are expected to remain in place for several days, which prompted the expansion of the burn ban to quickly reduce wood smoke emissions impacting communities throughout the central Puget Sound region.

The following are restrictions and information from the agency in place during a stage two 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 the only adequate source of heat. 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.

• Even if your fireplace, pellet stove, or wood stove is the only adequate source of heat, no visible smoke is allowed.

• 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 two burn ban.

This ban is in effect until further notice. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted. Conditions and forecasts at pscleanair.