LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Levels of fine particulate air pollution in the Los Angeles region are forecast to be high today, prompting the South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a No Burn Alert through 11:59 p.m.
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, the AQMD said.
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,” the AQMD said in a written statement. “Smoke from wood burning can cause health problems.”