Burn bans lifted in area

SEATTLE -- The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency on Friday ended burn bans for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, saying showers coming in will keep pollution down in the area.

"Forecasts show scattered morning showers and evening showers, which will keep pollution down," the agency's website said. "Saturday, with the arrival of a strong front, we will be returning to more typical Pacific Northwest winter patterns of rain and wind."

Last Monday, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, citing the need to protect public health from worsening air pollution, elevated the burn ban for King and Snohomish counties to Stage 2, which was already in effect for Pierce County.

The agency took the action after it said fine-particle pollution levels spiked last Sunday night in many areas throughout the Puget Sound region, especially in neighborhoods where wood burning is common.