12/13 UPDATE: The Pierce County burn ban has been lifted. Air quality will still be moderate through Thursday until a cold front on Friday returns us back to good air quality through the weekend and into early next week, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency wrote on their website.

12:48 12/11 UPDATE: The King County burn ban has been lifted.

12/11 ORIGINAL POST: The weather may be getting colder, but burn bans have been called for multiple counties — including Pierce and King — due to deteriorating air quality.

The Puget Sound Clear Air Agency called for a Stage 1 burn ban in Pierce County last Friday, and King County Sunday morning.

During a Stage 1 burn ban, no burning is allowed in wood-burning fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves or fireplace inserts.

Instead, residents should rely on their 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 the homeowner has a previously approved ‘No Other Adequate Source of Heat’ exemption from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

Outdoor fires are also not allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.

Natural gas and propane stoves can still be used.

Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

For updated information visit http://www.pscleanair.org/burnban.