RivCo No Burn Order Extended: What To Know

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Continued levels of high air pollution throughout Riverside County have prompted officials to extend a wood-burning ban through Friday.

The ban, which had been extended for the county the previous day and was initially expected to expire on Thursday evening, will stay in effect for much of the county. The ban will now be in effect until at least 11:59 p.m. on Friday.

This time, the residential wood-burning ban excludes the Coachella Valley, the high desert area and communities above 3,000 feet, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said.

In Riverside County, the area with the worst air quality on Thursday spanned from Canyon Lake through Jurupa Valley to Riverside and Woodcrest. The areas with moderately healthy air were the Corona, Moreno Valley, Menifee and Lake Elsinore areas.

Burning wood in areas affected by poor air quality raises health risks for residents as fine particles in wood smoke — also known as PM2.5 — can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory issues such as asthma. This week's order was extended to protect air quality as PM2.5 levels rose above the predicted level.

However, homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service are exempt from the requirement.

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