Poor Air Quality Prompts Fire Ban

Weather conditions will cause air pollution to stagnate over the South Coast Air Basin, and have prompted orders today banning the use of wood-burning fireplaces by most people in the Southland after midnight tonight.

The residential no burn alert is effective at midnight tonight through midnight Monday night, said Sam Atwood, spokesman for the SCAQMD.

Gas and electric, artificial flames are not restricted, but burning logs, scrap paper or wood and manufactured logs are all prohibited.

Homes in areas below 3,000 feet in elevation are affected in all of Los Angeles and Orange counties, and the urban areas of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The Coachella Valley and high desert are not included in the ban area.

Also, homes that do not have natural gas service may burn wood for heat, as may residences with low income people inside who need the heat, the SCAQMD said.

Tiny particulates in wood smoke can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory illness, increases in visits to hospital emergency rooms and hospitalizations. Monday’s weather is expected to trap particle materials in low levels of the atmosphere.

-City News Service

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