Protect Public Health: Residential Wood Smoke Reduction Program Begins November 1

To protect public health and improve winter air quality, the Valley Air District urges residents to avoid wood burning and use cleaner heating alternatives whenever possible. Residential wood burning produces harmful fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) that significantly affects neighborhood air quality and the health of Valley communities.<_o3a_p>

"Public health is at the heart of our mission," said Jaime Holt, the District's Chief Communications Officer. "Every resident can make a real difference this winter by simply choosing not to burn wood. Limiting the use of fireplaces, woodstoves, and outdoor fire pits is one of the most effective ways to improve neighborhood air quality and protect community health."<_o3a_p>

The Residential Wood Smoke Reduction program runs from November 1 through the end of February every year, protecting public health by reducing harmful particulate matter. During this period, the District releases a daily, wood-burning status for each county, based on the air quality forecast. There are three burn status levels: <_o3a_p>

<_o3a_p> Daily burn information is available by visiting valleyair.org/burnstatus, by calling 1-800-SMOG INFO (1-800-766-4463), or by downloading the free "Valley Air" app. In addition, residents are invited to sign up for daily wood-burning email notifications. <_o3a_p>

<_o3a_p> Restrictions do not apply to devices that burn natural gas; those can be used anytime. Homes without natural gas service, or that have no other option but to use wood as their primary source of heat, are exempt from these restrictions. Properties using propane tanks are also considered without natural gas service. Outdoor wood-burning devices, such as fire pits and chimineas, cannot be registered and are always subject to daily burn restrictions<_o3a_p>

Valley residents are encouraged to take advantage of the Fireplace & Woodstove Change-Out Program and receive up to $5,000 toward replacing older, high-polluting wood stoves or open-hearth fireplaces with cleaner, more efficient electric heat pumps or natural gas inserts. To learn more or apply, visit valleyair.org/change-out.<_o3a_p>

Residents with EPA-Certified wood and pellet-fueled devices may register them with the Valley Air District for use only on "No Burning Unless Registered" days. Register by visiting: valleyair.org/deviceregistration. <_o3a_p>

The Valley Air District covers eight counties including San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and San Joaquin Valley air basin portions of Kern. For additional information about the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, visit www.valleyair.org or call 559-230-6000.