Starting Tomorrow, Check Before You Burn

The second season of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s Check Before You Burn program in Sacramento County begins Saturday, November 1 and runs through February 28, 2009.

Residential wood burning will be restricted or prohibited on days when particulate matter pollution is forecast to be high.

If you already receive the daily air quality forecast then you will automatically get the daily burn status within that e-mail. You can also hear the daily burn status by calling 877-NOBURN-5 (877-662-8765).

If you’d like to start receiving the daily forecast so you also get the burn status in your Air Alert e-mail, please visit www.SpareTheAir.com to edit your subscription. Make sure you input a Sacramento County zip code and then check the “Daily Air Quality Forecast” box.

For more information on Check Before You Burn, visit www.AirQuality.org. It’s the law in Sacramento County.

		Stage 2 – All Burning Prohibited Burning is prohibited in any device when air quality is forecast to exceed 40 micrograms per cubic meter. The rule prohibits burning any solid fuel, including wood, manufactured logs and pellets. First time violations will result in a $50 fine or a requirement to attend compliance school, fines for subsequent violations will be higher.
		Stage 1 – No Burn – Unless Exempt Burning is prohibited when air quality is forecast to be 36-40 micrograms per cubic meter unless EPA certified fireplace inserts or stoves, or pellet stoves are used. First time violations will result in a $50 fine or a requirement to attend compliance school, fines for subsequent violations will be higher.
		Burning Discouraged – Voluntary Burning is discouraged when air quality is forecast to be 26-35 micrograms per cubic meter. Participation is voluntary.
		Burn Cleanly – OK To Burn When the forecast is 25 micrograms per cubic meter or lower, the public is allowed to burn and the burning of manufactured firelogs is acceptable at this level. Click here to find out how to burn cleanly.