Violating Puget Sound Burn Ban Will Cost You $1,000

SUMNER, WA - The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has issued a stage one burn ban for most of Western Washington, including all of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. The ban went into effect Wednesday at 4 p.m. and is in place indefinitely. The ban is in place due to large amounts of wildfire smoke blanketing the region.

For those inside the burn ban area, you are not allowed to use charcoal, fire pits, or any free-standing burning receptacle. Camp fires and wood stoves are also covered under the ban.

If you violate the ban, you could get up to a $1,000 fine.

Expect the ban to last at least through the weekend. Shifting winds have blown smoke from wildfires burning in British Columbia into the Puget Sound. The smoke has greatly reduced air quality around the region, and air quality is considered unhealthy for vulnerable people including the elderly, children, and anyone with a respiratory illness. The smoke is expected to stick around through the weekend.

The air-quality ban comes after recent county burn bans that were put in place due to concerns over brush fires.

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