On Sunday, Jan. 13 at noon, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issued a Stage 2 burn ban in King Councy, in order to protect residents from worsening air quality.

Stage 2 means no burning is allowed in any wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts, or pellet stoves.

And no outdoor fires are allowed, including bonfires, camp fires and fire pits -- this means no fires at Golden Gardens.

Burn ban violations are subject to $1,000 fines.

Natural gas and propane stoves or inserts are OK during a Stage 2 burn ban.

Air pollution has reached "Unhealthy for sensitive groups" in many areas around Puget Sound, particularly where wood burning is common. Agency forecasters expect the current cold, dry, and stagnant weather conditions to extend well into the week.

The Clean Air Agency will continue to closely monitor the air quality and weather situation.

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