Stage 2 Burn Ban Issued For All Of King County

SEATTLE, WA — King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts issued a Stage 2 burn ban Tuesday, citing the extreme wildfire risk and a red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service.

"Abnormally high temperatures and gusty winds, along with low humidity have prompted both warnings," the marshal's office wrote in a news release. "Large fires in Eastern Washington and Oregon have also contributed to reduced air quality in the Puget Sound region."

Related: Wildfire Smoke Settles Over Puget Sound: Air Quality Forecast

Critical fire concerns will persist until at least Friday, forecasters said, and an air quality alert will remain in effect until Wednesday morning.

"The conditions — high temperatures, wind, low humidity — mean everyone should be on high alert about fire safety," Ricketts said. "Things can be dangerous — and tragic — extremely fast with these conditions. Everyone should be careful."

Under a Stage 2 burn ban, all outdoor fires are prohibited, including those in backyard fire pits, and campfires using chopped firewood or charcoal. According to the marshal, any person who "fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such burning," can be charged with a misdemeanor.

Outdoor barbeques, including those fueled by charcoal, natural gas or propane, are allowed, provided they are used in line with their instructions.

Smoking cigarettes is discouraged, and anyone who chooses to do so is asked to exercise extreme caution with ashes.

The dry conditions have already led to several major fires west of the Cascades, including one that destroyed several homes in Graham. Evacuations remained in place Tuesday for some homes in the Bonney Lake area, as another fire burned near State Route 410. A separate fire along the same highway burned east of Enumclaw.

Find the latest air quality information via the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.