“The threat of air pollution has resulted in an outdoor burn ban as well as a request that people who have an alternative source of heat not burn wood.The Department of Ecology ordered the total outdoor burn ban Thursday, Nov. 16. All outdoor burning is strictly prohibited, stated a news release.Island County Sheriff Mike Hawley said Friday he is aware of the burn ban and acknowledges that his deputies are supposed to enforce it.The DOE ordered the ban after declaring a Forecast Stage of an air pollution episode for all counties in the state. It remains in effect until further notice. A violation could lead to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation per day.Although it is not an order, people with other sources of heat are asked not to use their wood stoves or fireplaces until the weather changes. The burn ban was ordered due to poor atmospheric circulation conditions expected to last several days.For burn ban and air pollution updates, call the Northwest Air Pollution Authority at 1-800-622-4627, “