SACRAMENTO, California — Wood burning restrictions go into effect on Wednesday, including the use of all fireplaces, wood stoves, inserts, and pellet stoves when fine particle pollution (PM2.5) is forecast to be high, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.
The restrictions last through the end of February due to wood burning being the primary contributor to pollution during the winter months, rather than ground-level ozone in the summer.
Residents can check to see if burning is allowed on the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District's website.
The burn day status categories are as follows:
- Legal to burn (no restrictions)
- Burning discouraged
- Stage 1 - No burn unless exempt
- Stage 2 - All burning prohibited
Checking before you burn is a law in Sacramento County and violations will result in a fine, although there are exemptions for those who rely on wood burning for heat.
Burn restrictions are also in place for San Joaquin Valley residents.
“We’re asking San Joaquin Valley residents to continue the cooperation that has had a direct, positive impact on public health,” said District Chief Communications Officer, Jaime Holt. “Choosing not to use your wood-burning fireplace this winter is critical in our pollution reduction efforts and key to public health,” she added.
Programs are in place to assist in replacing wood-burning systems, including the Woodsmoke Reduction Program.
"The Woodsmoke Reduction Program offers financial incentives for homeowners to replace old, inefficient, and highly polluting wood stoves, wood inserts, or fireplaces with cleaner burning and more efficient home heating devices," said the California Air Resources Board. "California residents using uncertified wood stoves or wood inserts or fireplaces as their primary heat source may be eligible for incentives towards the purchase and installation of qualifying devices."
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