From the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s office:

A Pierce County-wide Phase 1 burn ban will go into effect at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8.

The ban was prompted by forecasts that call for continued dry weather, and it will be in effect until further notice as the fire danger moves to high for King, Kitsap, Mason and Pierce counties.

Phase 1 burn restrictions ban land clearing, silvicultural (forestry) and/or home premises debris disposal. Recreational campfires are still allowed if they’re built in an approved manner.

The ban applies to all outdoor burning, except for small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved camp grounds or private property with the owner’s permission.

Those with approved Department of Natural Resources burn permits may call 1-800-323-BURN for more information.

The ban was declared by the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s office, in conjunction with the Pierce County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the DNR, in cooperation with the fire marshals in King, Kitsap and Mason counties.

Because of the accumulated snowfall, freezing temperatures and the weather forecast, the City of Gig Harbor declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.

Here’s the news release:

Based on major snow accumulation and freezing temperatures since Dec. 18, as well as the continued forecast for additional snow accumulation, the City of Gig Harbor Emergency Management Department, headed by Dick Bower along with Mayor Pro Tem Paul Conan and City Administrator Rob Karlinsey, has declared a state of emergency in Gig Harbor.

“The wonders of winter we’re experiencing are not without their challenges” Bower said Tuesday. “The staff at the City will continue working long hours to keep our roads clear and passable in the coming days.”

On Tuesday, crews turned their focus to the side streets, making an effort to clear as much snow and ice from secondary roadways before the next wave of snow was scheduled to begin later in the day.

Residents are encouraged to not drive, if at all possible. Enjoy the snow and walk to shopping and merchants for your last-minute holiday needs. The City of Gig Harbor also reminds everyone to keep an eye on roofs, boats, marina structures, and caution should be taken around snow-laden trees and power lines as warming temperatures over the next few days will result in falling debris.

City crews are hoping to get to sidewalks as well, but residents and building owners are reminded that sidewalks and parking lots are the responsibility of individuals, not the City.

City crews are expected to work through the holiday in an effort to keep our roads safe and passable but all are encouraged to avoid driving.

Due to poor weather and bad road conditions, the Washington State Patrol is closing state Route 302 at the Purdy Spit, our sister paper, The News Tribune, is reporting. 

Multiple collisions have been reported, and others been reported between SR 302 and SR 16 up to the Olympic Drive interchange in Gig Harbor.

If you’re home from work or school today, the likelihood is you’re not alone!

Freezing temperatures and snowfall have blanketed the region, much like the following video from 1950. We found this on YouTube and thought you might enjoy seeing Gig Harborites ice skate in the harbor nearly 60 years ago.

If you feel brave enough, comment on this post and share with us how you’re spending your snow days.

This news release was received from Pierce County News:

A Smog Watch has been called by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

Hot air is moving into the region from the south, bringing a temperature inversion that will trap air pollution and impact air quality over the next several days.

The Department of Health reminds people with asthma and parents of children with asthma to limit outdoor activities during hazy, sunny, hot weather when ozone levels are high. Adults with lung and cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke) should also be mindful of poor air quality.

The Clean Air Agency’s meteorologist predicts an onshore flow will return Wednesday evening breaking the pattern and bringing air quality back to “good” levels the remainder of the week.

This week’s Smog Watch is the first called since a new, more stringent air quality standard for ozone was announced in March 2008 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ozone comes primarily from automobile tailpipes and “cooks” in heat and sunlight on hot days to produce smog.

EPA lowered the eight-hour standard from .084 parts per million to .075 parts per million to better protect public health. To learn more about smog and what you can to lessen the pollution leading up to it, visit www.pscleanair.org/airq/basics/weather/smog.aspx .

Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions at www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqi.aspx#

Yes, it’s true. It’s snowing in Gig Harbor on March 28.

It’s a little odd, since last week marked the official start of spring. But an icy blast hit the region earlier this week, and traces snow are starting to accumulate as of late Friday morning.

What can we expect from here?

The National Weather Service warns of a snow advisory until 5 p.m. Friday, with accumulations of 1 to 2 inches on hills away from Puget Sound.

It should turn to rain soon, however. Saturday’s forecast is for a 50 percent chance of showers with a high of 46 degrees. On Sunday, the chances of precipitation drop to 30 percent.

The National Weather Service predicts mostly sunny conditions for Monday and Tuesday with highs in the upper 40s and low 50s.

OLYMPIA — The studded tire deadline has been extended through April 5, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced today.

“The anticipated winter weather for the next few days plus the desire to give drivers time next week to remove studded tires led to this decision,” said Chris Christopher, WSDOT co-director for maintenance and operations. “We don’t anticipate extending the deadline past April 5.”

In a coordinated effort with Oregon’s Department of Transportation (ODOT), the last day to legally use studded tires this season in Washington and Oregon is Saturday, April 5.

“If you live in an area where it is warming up today or don’t plan to travel over the mountains, we encourage you to beat the rush and remove your tires as soon as possible,” Christopher added.

WSDOT officials do advise drivers to carry tire chains and monitor weather forecasts as well as the WSDOT Web site.

Washington State Patrol troopers will enforce a $101 fine for those who keep their studded tires on beyond the deadline.

“We encourage people with studded tires to remove them before the deadline. After that, our troopers will enforce the law if they find drivers still using studded tires,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste.

Staff and Pierce County’s Emergency Operations Center are collecting damage information from property and business owners affected by this week’s wind and rainstorm.

Findings will be used by Gov. Christine Gregoire’s office to request presidential disaster declaration and federal disaster assistance.

Property and business owners who incurred damage should call the Department of Emergency Management, at 1-866-798-6363 (toll free), between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Callers should have the following information available:

• Name and address of affected property

• Type of insurance (homeowners)

• Description of damage, even if uninsured

• Personal estimate of uninsured losses

• Estimates of the fair market value of the damaged home or business.

At this point, it is not necessary for property owners to have a contractor’s estimate.

Property owners are advised that this process could take a couple of weeks or more.  Federal disaster assistance, if and when it becomes available, only covers uninsured losses.

Key Peninsula residents should expect another strong windstorm to sock the area today.

Wind gusts in the region could top nearly 60 mph. District 16 firefighters and Pierce County Sheriff units were on scene just before noon, closing one lane of traffic to divert the intersection of state Route 302 and 118th Street.

Power lines were reported down and arching with some show of fire. No injuries were reported.

Residents should pay close attention to falling tree branches and other debris. If anyone encounters downed power lines, they should assume they are live until appropiate responders render them safe. That includes driving over downed lines.

Trees have been falling throughout the Puget Sound. Residents should expect more as the storm intensifies.

The National Weather Service has issued a strong wind warning until 4 p.m. this afternoon. Gusts are expected to be between 45-55 knots from the north.

There have been multiple reports Monday of tree branches falling onto power lines. Three reports on the Key Peninsula include power outages.

There was a report of an outage at state Route 302 and Purdy Drive, with some businesses being left in the dark before noon.

There were two reports of power lines down elsewhere on KP, but it was unknown if there were any injuries.

Power lines were reportedly down in the following areas:

Warren Drive and 32nd Street NW; 77th Street NW and Lombard Drive NW, where power lines reportedly fell on a vehicle but no injuries were reported; and 155th Street NW and Peacock Hill Drive.

In addition, a large tree has reportedly fallen near 56th Street NW and Kopachuck Drive.