Voluntary “Check Before You Burn” Program Becomes Mandatory in Winter 2011/2012
From November 1st through February 28th, SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District) tested its “no burn” residential wood-burning curtailment advisories when fine particulate levels were elevated. High particulate levels occur mainly during stagnant winter weather conditions. SCAQMD announces “no burn” days one day in advance through television, radio, email, website and other media notices. All households in affected zip codes are asked not to burn wood in their fireplaces on such days; natural gas log sets can be used on “no burn” days. SCAQMD offered a gas log set incentive program to motivate homeowners to install gas-only fireplaces. The program was a success but is sold-out at this time.
SCAQMD exempts the following from the “no burn” curtailment:
1. Any household where wood burning is its sole source of heat;
2. Low income households;
3. Properties where natural gas infrastructure is more than 150 feet from property line;
4. Properties located 3,000 feet or more above sea level; and
5. Ceremonial fires.
“No burn” advisories are required by Rule 445 – Wood Burning Devices. The advisory program was voluntary for the 2010/2011 winter season. However, the Rule requires the advisories to become mandatory starting in Winter 2011/2012. Although the SCAQMD expects approximately 10 to 25 days each winter to be “no burn” days given current air quality levels, the voluntary practice run of the program in Winter 2010/2011 resulted in only one advisory covering a small portion of the air basin in Riverside County, so Los Angeles County homes did not fully experience the process before the mandatory “no burn” program starts up in November 2011.
To sign up for automatic email notification of “No Burn” days, or for further details on wood-burning regulations, go to http://www.aqmd.gov/healthyhearths/checkbeforeyouburn.htm.
