* WHAT…The South Coast AQMD has extended a mandatory wood-burning
ban for residents in the South Coast Air Basin. The No-Burn rule
bans burning wood, pellets, and manufactured fire logs in any indoor
or outdoor wood-burning device.
* WHERE…The South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County
and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San
Bernardino counties. No-Burn Day alerts do not apply to areas 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.
* WHEN…Wednesday and Thursday.
* IMPACTS…Particles in smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause
health problems (including asthma attacks), increases in emergency
room visits, and hospitalizations. No-Burn Days are needed to
protect public health when fine particle pollution levels are
expected to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin. No-Burn
Days are based on fine particle pollution levels that are forecasted
for an entire 24-hour period, which may not be reflected in real-
time air quality maps.