January Newsletter What is a burn a ban? The purpose of a burn ban is to reduce the amount of pollution that is creating unhealthy air. During a Stage 1 burn ban: No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home's other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. The only exception is if a wood stove is a home's 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 chimineas. Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty. It is OK to use natural gas, propane, pellet and EPA certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban. During a Stage 2 burn ban: No burning is allowed in any fireplace, pellet stove or wood stove (certified or not), unless it is your only adequate source of heat. You can use natural gas or propane fireplaces. No visible smoke is allowed from any solid fuel burning device at any time. To learn more: click here We are concerned about our air, and we are in this together...more Where There's Smoke: Woodsmoke is now a major contributor to Northwest air pollution...more After a decade of wrangling, new clean-air rules are slated to come into effect in the new year, upending the coal market. ...more Harnessing the Sun's Energy for Water and Space Heating...more Statewide recycling rates nearing 50 percent...more Thinning Oregon forests develops spotted owl habitat, chases away flying squirrels -- the owls' chief prey...more US report: Arctic much worse since 2006...more Census shows nearly half of Americans are poor or low-income...more Riding Public Transit Saves Individuals $9,797 Annually...more Missing $4,155? It Went Into Your Gas Tank This Year...more Pierce County has electric vehicle chargers for the public...more Chemists build a better biodiesel process...more Puyallup and Sound Transit discuss commuter problems...more United Parcel Service goes green...more Puget Sound Petroleum Poses Harm To Fish...more Puget Sound Partnership offers a more detailed plan of action...more Captive orca could test Endangered Species Act...more