No-burn order issued for much of Southern California for Christmas Day

Indoor and outdoor wood burning will be prohibited on Christmas Day in much of Southern California because of weather conditions conducive to concentrated pollution, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The agency issued a “no-burn” alert that goes into effect at midnight until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday in the South Coast Air Basin. The basin encompasses Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

“Do your part to help keep our air clean by not burning wood during the mandatory wood burning ban,” an AQMD statement says.

“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. Smoke from wood burning can cause health problems.”

Particulate matter in wood smoke can inflict respiratory strain, especially on those with lung ailments, causing asthma attacks and other harmful effects that could lead to hospitalizations.

Gusty winds are forecast for Monday night through Christmas Day, as a cold front moves through the region, which could bring some scattered showers and snow in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

SCAQMD’s no-burn alerts don’t apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet in elevation, 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. Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are not restricted.

More information is available at www.AirAlerts.org