Burn ban lifted

The following is a press release from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

The burn ban has been lifted in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties as of August 11 effective at 2 p.m. that day. There are no air quality burn bans currently in effect in the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency jurisdiction.

Fire safety burn bans are still in effect. Contact your county fire marshal for more information.

Smoke levels have reduced to moderate or good in most areas now. Winds have reversed, and the agency expect the British Columbia wildfire smoke to blow east again for the next couple weeks. That means this area returns to a more typical summertime of good air quality.

The British Columbia wildfires aren’t expected to stop until the fall rains come, so another high pressure ridge could return the smoke. But, the two-week outlook continues to keep smoke away from Puget Sound.

The fire near Darrington is contained, but still smoldering. As a result, smoke levels that are moderate or even unhealthy for sensitive groups could be back when the winds come from the north east..

The Clean Air Agency will continue to monitor the conditions closely and send out updates as needed. They said they thank everyone for not burning during this ban. Children, the elderly and people with chronic respiratory health issues especially benefit from their efforts.

Visit www.pscleanair.org/burnban to view the current burn ban status, download our mobile app, and other burn ban alert options for you area.