Sacramento County tightens home fireplace rules for the season. Does change apply to you?
As the weather begins a chilly trend across the Sacramento region, signaling winter is on its way, it may be tempting to gather your friends around an open fire.
Before you grab the blankets and wood, be sure to “Check Before You Burn.”
The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s “Check Before You Burn” season runs from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28 to curb air pollution created by wood smoke. Anyone in Sacramento County — Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton and Rancho Cordova — operating a wood-burning device or lighting a fire must first check the daily burn status.
“Wood burning in the winter causes over 50 percent of the fine particle pollution in Sacramento County,” Sac Metro Air District wrote in a statement.
Wood smoke, similar to wildfire smoke, contains small particles capable of entering your bloodstream and creating a risk of heart attack, stroke or asthma, officials said. Sensitive groups include children, older adults and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions.
When can I burn?
You can use wood-burning fireplaces, stoves, inserts and pellet stoves on any day when fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) isn’t forecast to be high.
Burn statuses are updated online, on X (formally known as Twitter), over the phone (877-662-8765) and via email when you sign up for Spare the Air alerts.
Stage 1 versus Stage 2
Here are the definitions of the different stages of burn statuses:
STAGE 1
You are not allowed to burn unless exempt or using an EPA-certified fireplace insert, stove, pellet stove without it producing visible smoke.
STAGE 2
All burning is prohibited. It is illegal to burn any solid fuel, also known as material designed to emit heat.
BURNING IS DISCOURAGED
The Sac Metro Air Districts allows you to burn, buts ask that you voluntarily opt out.
NO RESTRICTIONS
There are no restrictions on recreational burning.
Am I exempt from the rule?
People who require financial assistance or live in homes where wood burning is the only heating source are exempt from the county rule. You can submit a form online to request an exemption.
Those non-exempt who don’t follow the requirements are subject to a smoke awareness exam and thousands of dollars in fines.
This story was originally published November 2, 2023 at 5:00 AM.