Due to stagnant weather conditions and rising air pollution, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency on Nov. 18 ordered a Stage 2 burn ban in Pierce County. The ban on use of fireplaces, wood stoves and all outdoor burning went into effect because calm winds and cool temperatures resulted in high air pollution levels, especially in areas where wood burning is common. While the forecast called for increasing cloud cover, the incoming front was expected to be fairly weak and unlikely to bring high enough winds to clear the air, officials said. The purpose of a burn ban is to reduce the amount of pollution that is creating unhealthy air usually due to excessive wood smoke. The state Department of Health recommends that people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors, especially when exercising. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse, and is especially harmful to people with lung and heart problems, people with diabetes, children, and adults over age 65. The burn ban is also in effect in Snohomish County. The Clean Air Agency will continue to monitor the air quality, officials said.
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