Air Quality

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

No-burn alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health due to a high concentration of fine particle air pollution forecast for the area. The no‐burn prohibition also applies to manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper.

Fine particles in wood smoke – also known as particulate matter or PM2.5 – can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory illnesses, increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

SCAQMD’s no-burn alerts do not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet in elevation and the Coachella Valley. Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service are also exempt from the requirement. Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are not restricted.

SCAQMD’s Check Before You Burn program is in effect from November through the end of February, when particulate levels are highest. For additional information on wood smoke and your health, visit Air Alerts. For 24-hour recorded Check Before You Burn information, call 1-866-966-3293.