Burning Prohibited In Pass Area Due to High Pollution Levels

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Responding to anticipated high levels of air pollution, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a no-burn alert that will be in effect Thursday.

The order affects everyone living in the South Coast Air Basin, including Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, according to the AQMD.

It does not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet, the Coachella Valley or the High Desert or homes and low-income households that rely on wood as a sole source of heat.

People can still use gas and other non-wood-burning fireplaces.

The order bans burning wood or manufactured fire logs in fireplaces or any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device.

"No-burn alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health when levels of fine particulate air pollution in the region are forecast to be high," according to the AQMD. "Smoke from wood burning can cause health problems."

Particles in wood smoke -- also known as fine particulate matter or PM2.5 -- can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems, including asthma attacks.

— By City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone