PSCAA issues air quality burn ban for King County

Update Saturday, January 4:

The PSCAA has confirmed that the burn ban in King County is now lifted.

Original Post:

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) issued a burn ban for the entirety King County yesterday which is in place until further notice.

The burn ban is currently at “stage one” level which bans burning in fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves, uncertified wood inserts and outdoor burning. Under the stage one ban, burning is permitted in EPA certified wood stoves, EPA certified wood inserts and pellet stoves and inserts.

For Seattle Parks and Recreation, this means that beach fires at Golden Gardens Park (8498 Seaview Ave NW) are also prohibited until the ban is lifted.

The PSCAA issues air quality burn bans when air pollution rises, or is forecasted to reach, unhealthy levels. “Fine particle pollution levels continue to be high in areas throughout the Puget Sound region, especially in neighborhoods where wood-burning is common,” writes the PSCAA.

Residents are advised to rely on their home’s other source of heat such as a furnace or electric baseboard heaters until air quality improves and the ban is lifted. The only exception to this ban is if the homeowner has a previously approved ‘No Other Adequate Source of Heat’ designation from the Clean Air Agency

Locals who violate the ban could face a $1,000 fine from the PSCAA.

To learn more about the burn ban click here.