Burn ban elevated to Stage 2 in Snohomish County as air deemed ‘unhealthy’ for sensitive groups

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for Snohomish County, elevating it from Stage 1, effective at 1 p.m. Thursday.

These bans remain in effect until further notice.

Air pollution in Snohomish County has reached levels that are “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” the agency said. All wood burning is prohibited, including pellet stoves and outdoor burning. It is OK to use natural gas and propane stoves or inserts.

The only exception is if the homeowner has a previously approved ‘No Other Adequate Source of Heat’ designation from the Clean Air Agency

Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

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 Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit their 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 Clean Air Agency will continue to closely monitor the situation. Visit www.pscleanair.org/burnban to view the current burn ban status.

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