* WHAT…The South Coast AQMD has issued an air quality alert due to
increased harmful levels of particle pollution from windblown dust,
and 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…Wildfire smoke in South Coast Air Basin and windblown dust
in parts of the South Coast Air Basin, Coachella Valley, and Eastern
Riverside County. Levels of particle pollution can vary by time and
location depending on fire activity and local weather conditions.
Wood-burning ban in 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…Windblown dust until 12 PM Tuesday, and wood-burning ban on
Sunday and Monday
* IMPACTS…Particles can get deep into the lungs and cause serious
health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks, and
difficulty breathing. Everyone can be affected, but people with lung
or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children,
and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk.