Due to stagnant weather conditions and elevated air pollution levels, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has issued a Stage 1 burn ban for Snohomish County until further notice.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issues temporary bans on indoor and outdoor burning when the weather trends toward stagnant conditions, such as air inversions, which trap fine particle pollution emitted from chimneys, cars, trucks and other activities.

Air quality can deteriorate quickly, which is why taking action to curb burning can help keep air healthy. Clean Air Agency staff will continue to monitor the situation to determine when the burn ban can be lifted.

During a Stage 1 burn ban:

• No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves or inserts, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner sources of heat (such as a furnace or electric baseboard heaters) the ban is cancelled.
• No visible smoke is allowed from any wood stove or fireplace, certified or not, beyond a 20-minute start-up period – even if it is the only adequate source of heat.
• No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimneys.

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

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.

Answers to frequently asked questions about burn bans can be found here.