The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has issued a residential no-burn alert effective today, November 15, through Thursday, November 16, for all those living in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. SCAQMD reminds residents in these areas that burning wood in their fireplaces – both indoors and outdoors — is prohibited today through midnight on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017.
No-burn alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health due to a high concentration of fine particle air pollution forecast for the area. The no‐burn prohibition also applies to manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper.
Fine particles in wood smoke – also known as particulate matter of PM2.5 – can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory illnesses, increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Residents can help reduce the harmful health effects of wood smoke by signing up to receive e-mail alerts at www.AirAlerts.org to learn when a mandatory no-burn alert is issued in their area.
SCAQMD’s no-burn alerts do not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet in elevation and the Coachella Valley. Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service are also exempt from the requirement. Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are not restricted
SCAQMD’s Check Before You Burn program is in effect from November through the end of February, when particulate levels are highest.
For additional information on wood smoke and your health, visit www.AirAlerts.org.
SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties
