VICTOR VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG.com) — All indoor and outdoor residential wood burning is prohibited due to “high air pollution” predicted for Tuesday, December 25, 2018, according to the South Coast Air QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (SCAQMD).
The No-Burn Alert is in effect till 11:59 pm, and affects those living in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
According to SCAQMD, all indoor and outdoor wood-burning devices are prohibited and residents are reminded not to burn wood in their fireplaces.
“The no-burn rule prohibits burning wood as well as manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper,” said officials in a news release.
SCAQMD says no-burn alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health when levels of fine particulate air pollution in the region are forecast to be high.
Smoke from wood burning can cause health problems. Particles in wood smoke – also known as fine particulate matter can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems )including asthma attacks, increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
- SCAQMD’s no-burn alerts do not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet in elevation, the Coachella Valley, or the High Desert.
- Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service also are exempt from the requirement.
- Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are not restricted