...AIR QUALITY ALERT: MANDATORY WOOD-BURNING BAN IN EFFECT... * 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...until 11:59 PM Sunday. * 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. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... To protect your health, check current and forecasted air quality levels at www.aqmd.gov or download the mobile app at www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp. When air quality is poor in your area, limited extended or intense outdoor activity and remain inside with windows and doors closed. Run your air conditioner and/or an air purifier and avoid using devices that bring in outside air like a swamp cooler or whole house fan if you have other ways to stay cool. Additional details for this air quality alert are available at www.aqmd.gov/advisory. Information on the South Coast AQMD Check Before You Burn program is available at www.aqmd.gov/cbyb.
