Air quality in much of Pierce County does not meet federal standards for healthy air during colder fall and winter months, when many households rely on wood-burning devices for heating.

In addition to enhanced enforcement of burn bans in the Tacoma-Pierce County Smoke Reduction Zone, a new regulation requires old wood stoves that are not EPA certified be disposed of or rendered inoperable by Sept. 30, 2015. This law applies only in the Smoke Reduction Zone.

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is offering Zone residents incentives to get ahead of the new law.

• Get up to $350 to scrap your old wood stove OR
• $1,500 to upgrade to cleaner heat.
• FREE heating upgrade for low-income households.

Visit www.airsafepiercecounty.org to learn more, sign up for burn ban alerts and see how you can get paid to get rid of your old wood stove. Funds are limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.