Air quality control changes in the Sacramento region: Here’s what to know this winter

A pollution control restricting wood burning will take effect Monday. The measure applies to residents and businesses on days when levels of fine particulate matter, which can cause respiratory problems, are expected to be high.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District announced Thursday that the region’s “Spare the Air” season, when ground-level ozone pollution is of primary concern, will end Sunday. On Monday, the focus will turn toward PM 2.5 pollution, which the management district said largely comes from wood smoke.

The “Check Before You Burn” pollution control will mean anyone who wants to use a fireplace, wood stove, fire pit or chimney or is burning wood, pellet manufactured logs or other solid fuel needs to check the burn day status through February, when the season ends. Here’s what that means:

What is Check Before You Burn?

Check Before You Burn is a public outreach program that residents of Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova and unincorporated parts of Sacramento County are legally required to follow. In other parts of the state, the program is an advisory.

The law operates in four stages. The first stage is days when it is legal to burn with no restrictions. On “burning discouraged” days, the Sacramento Air Quality Management District asks residents to choose not to burn. But that choice is voluntary.

On Stage 1 days, it’s illegal to burn unless you are using a Environmental Protection Agency-certified equipment such as a fireplace insert, stove or pellet stove that does not emit visible smoke.

On Stage 2 days, all burning is prohibited. It is illegal to burn any solid fuel in any device.

Are there any exceptions?

Some people may be exempt to Check Before You Burn restrictions. People with financial hardship or people who live in homes where a wood-burning device provides the sole source of heat may be considered for an exemption, but those individuals need to complete and exemption request. You can do so online or you can download an exemption request form and return it by mail.

Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to call 279-207-1122 and dial extension 11 or send an email to burning@airquality.org.

How do you know the burn day status?

To find out if you’re allowed to burn or not, you can go to AirQuality.org, call 1-877-NOBURN-5 or download the Spare the Air app for the Sacramento region. You can also sign up for Air Alerts on the AirQuality.org website.

Why is PM 2.5 worse in the winter?

After wildfires made for hazy skies and dangerous air this summer, you may be wondering why PM 2.5 levels matter right now. The winter season is actually worse for PM 2.5 pollution because on certain days warm air can act as a lid over a layer of cooler air, which then traps wood smoke that builds up at ground level.

How is the air quality right now?

Air quality in much of the Sacramento region is moderate, including in downtown Sacramento, where PM 2.5 was measured at 54 shortly after 8 a.m. Friday. A strong temperature inversion is trapping pollutants, according to the air quality district’s forecast.

Here’s a look at air quality index readings across the region, according to AirNow:

• Sacramento: 59
• Davis: 33
• Folsom: 28
• Lincoln: 55
• Elk Grove: 38

This story was originally published October 29, 2021 at 8:59 AM with the headline "Air quality control changes in the Sacramento region: Here’s what to know this winter."