A cozy wood fire in the fireplace may seem just the thing to take the chill off a brisk autumn day, but Sacramento County residents are reminded to check the air quality forecast before putting a match to those logs.

The Sacramento Air Quality Management District's Check Before You Burn program started Nov. 1 and runs through Feb. 29.

Residential wood burning will be restricted or prohibited on days when fine particle pollution is forecast to be high. The law applies throughout Sacramento County, including the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova and Sacramento.

Now in its fifth year, the program is designed to reduce fine-particle pollution. It calls for the district to restrict or prohibit use of indoor and outdoor fireplaces and wood stoves, as well as fire pits and chimneys that burn wood, pellets, manufactured logs or any other solid fuel.

Fine particles resulting from wood burning affect the respiratory system and can get into the bloodstream, causing heart arrhythmia, heart attacks and strokes, said Lori Kobz, spokeswoman for the air quality district.

Under a Stage 2 ban, when fine-particle pollution is forecast to exceed 35 micrograms per cubic meter, it is illegal to burn any solid fuel, including wood, manufactured logs and pellets. Under Stage 1 (32 to 35 micrograms per cubic meter), burning is prohibited unless pellet stoves – or fireplace inserts or stoves certified by the Environmental Protection Agency – are used.

Burning is discouraged when the forecast is for 26 to 31 micrograms per cubic meter, and district officials ask residents to voluntarily abstain from burning wood.

Last year, Kobza said, Stage 2 bans occurred on only three days and Stage 1 bans on 23 days. Burning was discouraged on 25 days.

Wood burning was legal 70 days, and people with EPA-certified devices were allowed to burn on 95 days.

Those who violate Stage 1 or 2 bans are subject to a $50 fine, or may be required to complete and pass a wood smoke awareness course. Air quality inspectors are on the lookout for smoke and also respond to complaints. If smoke is spotted, an inspector will report the location and a written notice will be mailed to that address.

"No one sets foot on your property or knocks on your door," Kobza said.

A total of 112 violations were reported last year, she said.

Exemptions from the woodburning restrictions are available for homes where wood burning is the sole source of heat, or for financial hardship. Waivers for financial hardship must be renewed each year. Last season, the district granted 44 sole-source waivers and 56 waivers for financial hardship, Kobza said.

To find out whether burning is permitted, call (877) 662-8765 or check online at www.AirQuality.org. Residents also may subscribe to the online Air Alert at www.SpareTheAir.com and check the Daily Air Quality Forecast box to receive a daily email.

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