How do you know if I’m violating the air quality burn ban?

Where there is smoke, there is likely fire and non-compliance with the burn ban. Our agency inspectors are trained to read the density, or “opacity,” of smoke and to determine if visible smoke violates the state’s opacity laws. It is always illegal to generate excessive smoke, defined as 20% opacity or more for more than six consecutive minutes, even when a burn ban is not in effect.

If you have a device that is legal to use during a Stage 1 burn ban or if this is your only adequate source of heat and you have an approved exemption, you still must burn cleanly and not emit visible smoke. Remember, excessive smoke is illegal at any time, from any device.

Show All Answers

1. What is an air quality burn ban?
2. What’s the difference between a Stage 1 and Stage 2 air quality burn ban?
3. Who can issue an air quality burn ban?
4. Why do you call air quality burn bans?
5. Where do you call air quality burn bans?
6. When and how are air quality burn ban conditions determined?
7. It’s windy outside. Why is there an air quality burn ban?
8. The Air Quality Index (AQI) says air quality is “good or moderate.” Why is there an air quality burn ban?
9. Why does an air quality burn ban apply to the entire county? How can every area in the county have unhealthy air?
10. Why are there so many more air quality burn bans for Pierce and Snohomish counties but not in the major metropolitan areas in King County? Is Seattle air cleaner?
11. Why does Pierce County now have three different air quality burn ban “zones”?
12. Which Pierce county air quality burn ban zone am I in?
13. How can I find out when an air quality burn ban has been issued or cancelled?
14. What should I do if I already have a fire going when an air quality burn ban is called or elevated?
15. How do you know if I’m violating the air quality burn ban?
16. What is the penalty for violating an air quality burn ban?
17. What’s the difference between an air quality and fire safety burn ban?
18. How can I tell if my wood stove or fireplace insert is certified?
19. What if I rely on my wood stove because my primary electric/oil/propane heat is too expensive?
20. What does "adequate source of heat" mean?
21. What if burning wood is the only way I can heat my home?
22. What is the background of air quality burn bans?
23. Didn’t find an answer to your question?