A Stage 1 air quality burn ban has been called for Kitsap, Pierce, King and Snohomish counties, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency officials announced Wednesday afternoon.

The ban starts at 4 p.m. Wednesday, and will continue indefinitely.

“With winds from British Columbia moving wildfire smoke into our area, air pollution levels have become unhealthy for sensitive groups in many parts of the Puget Sound region,” the announcement read. “We expect this pattern to continue at least through Friday and possibly longer.”

All outdoor burning is thus prohibited until air quality improves, including charcoal barbecues, fire pits, chimneys, fire bowls, or similar free-standing devices, campfires and bonfires, fireplaces, uncertified wood stoves and agricultural fires.

Native American ceremonial fire permits outside of tribal lands are also not granted from the local fire district during air quality burn bans.

It is permitted, however, to use natural gas and propane stoves or inserts.

The purpose of the burn ban, officials said, is to reduce any additional harm to sensitive populations from excess air pollution and is in addition to existing fire safety burn bans. The Clean Air Agency will continue to closely monitor the situation for purposes of air quality burn bans.

The Washington 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. Air pollution is especially harmful to people with lung and heart problems, people with diabetes, children, and older adults (older than 65).

Visit www.pscleanair.org/burnban to view the current burn ban status.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is an air quality management agency serving Kitsap, Pierce, King and Snohomish counties. Created as a result of the 1967 Washington Clean Air Act, the agency protects public health by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, educating individuals and businesses about clean-air choices and sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality.