San Juan Capistrano Under No Burn Order, Pollution Concerns Grow

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA —A mandatory prohibition on indoor and outdoor wood burning remains in effect through midnight, and could be extended further into Wednesday, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Indoor and outdoor wood burning were prohibited across much of the Southland through Tuesday evening due to another day's forecast of high air pollution in the area.

The residential wood-burning ban is now in effect through 11:59 p.m. for all those in the South Coast Air Basin, including the non-desert portions of Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties and all of Orange County.

The original ban had been in effect through 11:59 p.m. five days before, on Thursday. The extensions have come as air quality in the area has not yet improved, according to officials.

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

The no-burn rule prohibits burning wood as well as manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper.

Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are not restricted, the SCAQMD said.

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.

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