Poor Air Quality Expected To Continue As Burn Ban Is Extended Through Friday

SANTA MONICA, CA — The South Coast Air Basin issued a ban on indoor and outdoor wood burning through Friday in Santa Monica due to forecasts of high air pollution.

The residential wood-burning ban, which was originally expected to expire Thursday night, will now be in effect until at least 11:59 p.m. Friday for the South Coast Air Basin, including Los Angeles County.

The order comes after the Air Quality Index hit the high 120s in an unusually hazy Los Angeles Wednesday and Thursday, which indicates air that is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Residents are advised against burning wood in fireplaces or any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device at any time during No-Burn Days.

“Do your part to help keep our air clean by not burning wood during the mandatory wood-burning ban. No-Burn Day alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health when levels of fine particulate air pollution in the region are forecast to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin,” the district said in a statement.

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.

The order does not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet or any homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service.

All of November through February is “Check Before You Burn” season, meaning residents should check emission levels before burning any wood or logs. To check whether burning is advised in your area year-round, visit the South Coast Air Basin’s map.

City News Service contributed to this report.