Wood Burning Ban Issued for Hermosa Beach

DIAMOND BAR, CA -- A wood burning ban mandated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District will be in effect Monday and Tuesday in a large swath of Southern California.

Both indoor and outdoor wood burning will be prohibited at most residences thorough midnight Tuesday night. The no-burn prohibition also applies to manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper, according to SCAQMD.

The pollution control agency cited forecasts of poor air quality as the reason for the ban. Particulate matter released when wood is burned can cause respiratory problems, especially in children and the elderly, according to SCAQMD.

The ban on wood burning does not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet in elevation and the Coachella Valley, the agency said. Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service are also exempt from the requirement.

First-time violators of the ban are subject to a $50 fine and subsequent violations can result in increased penalties.

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock