As temperatures begin to cool, local officials are reminding residents to “check before you burn.”
From Nov. 1 to Feb. 28, residents in Sacramento County — including the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova and Sacramento —must check projected air quality levels before using their fireplaces or wood stoves.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District officials said “no burn” days are critical because fine particle pollution can pose a serious health threat. “No burn” days are called when weather conditions trap wood smoke near the ground.
There are many ways to check the daily status of whether burning is allowed:
- Visit AirQuality.org
- Call 1-877-NO-BURN-5 (1-877-662-8765)
- Download the free “Sacramento Region Air Quality” mobile phone app
- Follow @AQMD on Twitter
- Sign up to get a daily burn status email at SpareTheAir.com.
Some exemptions are available to people who burn wood as their sole source of heat or who use certain types of fireplace inserts or heating stoves.
People found in first-time violation of the no-burn days are subject to a $50 penalty or the option to take and pass a smoke awareness exam.
According to the District, wood burning causes more than 50 percent of the winter air pollution in Sacramento County.