Elsinore, Wildomar Wood-Burning Ban Extended Due To Air Pollution

LAKE ELSINORE-WILDOMAR, CA — A wood-burning ban that was in effect Thursday across Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and much of Riverside County has been extended due to air pollution.

The mandatory wood-burning ban will be in effect until 11:59 p.m. Friday for all those in the South Coast Air Basin, including Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Lake Elsinore and Wildomar are within the ban area.

The order from the South Coast Air Quality Management District does not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet, the Coachella Valley or the high desert.

In addition to wood, the burning of manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper, is also prohibited.

The order was initially put in place only through Thursday, but the SCAQMD extended it through Friday.

Fine particles in wood smoke, also known as particulate matter or PM2.5, can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems such as asthma, SCAQMD officials said.

Residents can receive no-burn day notifications by signing up for Air Alerts via email or text at www.AirAlerts.org.

—City News Service; Toni McAllister