Poor Air Quality Prompts Another Wood-Burning Ban In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — Chestnuts roasting on an open fire are still a no-go in the Southland after authorities once again extended a ban on wood burning due to poor air quality.

A residential wood-burning man has been extended several times since it was first issued Christmas Eve. The latest ban, which covers almost all of Los Angeles County, is in effect through at least Wednesday, but may be extended further by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Air Quality Forecast (Tuesday, December 26th):https://t.co/szsyGAFunD
Coastal: Moderate
LA: Good -to- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
OC: Moderate
Inland Empire: Good -to- Moderate
Coachella Valley: Moderate pic.twitter.com/hq11kBcT6t
— South Coast AQMD (@SouthCoastAQMD) December 26, 2023

The ban covers the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County and non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

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

Those subject to the ban cannot burn wood in their fireplaces or outdoor fire pits.

Fine particles in wood smoke — PM2.5 — can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems such as asthma.

"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," the AQMD said.