The ban, which was set to expire late on Thursday evening, will stay in effect for much of the county. The ban will now be in effect until at least 11:59 p.m. for all those in the South Coast Air Basin.

The residential wood-burning ban excludes the Coachella Valley, the high desert area and communities above 3,000 feet, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said.

South Coast AQMD said that burning wood in fireplaces or any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device is prohibited at any time during the wood-burning ban. The rule also prohibits burning wood as well as manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper.

“Do your part to help keep our air clean by not burning wood during the mandatory wood-burning ban. No-Burn Day alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health when levels of fine particulate air pollution in the region are forecast to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin,” the agency said.

Burning wood in areas affected by poor air quality raises health risks for residents as fine particles in wood smoke — also known as PM2.5 — can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory issues such as asthma. This week’s order was extended to protect air quality.

However, homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households, and those without natural gas service are exempt from the requirement.

Residents can get no-burn day notifications by signing up for alerts through email or text at www.AirAlerts.org.

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Torrid heat will persist this week throughout Riverside County, bringing with it unhealthful air in the western part of the region.

Countywide, an Excessive Heat Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service. An ozone advisory is also in place through 8 p.m. Friday across all of the county’s western area.

During the hot stretch, daytime high temperatures are forecast to exceed 105 degrees in the Temecula Valley and San Gorgonio Pass Area, while the Coachella Valley will hover around 115 degrees, the NWS reported.

” … we expect hot weather in most areas this afternoon with highs up to 115 in hottest parts of the lower deserts and 106 in hottest parts of the valleys,” according to the agency.

Overnight lows in the valleys and Pass Area will drop to the low to mid-70s, while the desert areas will dip to the low 90s.

The hot weather is creating elevated fire conditions across the mountains, valleys and deserts.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the mountains and deserts Wednesday afternoon, which could extend into the weekend, according to the NWS.

While the heat warning is currently set to expire Friday night, forecasters say they are watching models.

“We are looking at extending the excessive heat warning for at least parts of our area through Saturday and will finalize any decision by early this afternoon,” the NWS reported Wednesday morning.

During dangerously hot conditions, the NWS urges residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Animal welfare agencies also advise that residents keep their pets and livestock cool and ensure there is plenty of access to clean drinking water.

The hot weather is impacting air quality. Due to the heat wave, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an ozone advisory Tuesday in multiple Southern California counties, including parts of Riverside County.

Air quality index (AQI) levels are expected to reach a designation of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” or more severe in western Riverside County communities. Other areas, including cities in Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County, could also be potentially impacted.

The advisory went into effect at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and will last until 8 p.m. Friday, according to the SCAQMD.

The agency said it would provide an update if ozone levels maintained their high levels after the advisory expires.

Residents can view a full map of the areas affected at www.aqmd.gov/AQImap.

The excessive heat prompted the Imperial Irrigation District to issue a “conserve alert” Wednesday that will be in place until Friday, urging people to reduce their energy use.

The utility provides power to La Quinta, Indio, Coachella, Bermuda Dunes and other unincorporated areas, as well as small parts of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells.

Customers were encouraged to conserve energy in the peak evening hours of 4 to 9 p.m. for the next three days, as the demand for power could outstrip supply.

Conserve alerts are issued when electrical demand is high, which generally occurs during heat waves.

The IID encouraged customers to set their thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using major appliances, turn off unnecessary lights, unplug or turn off unused electrical devices, keep blinds and drapes closed, and use floor or ceiling fans when possible.

More information can be found at iid.com/conservealert.

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SAN JACINTO, CA — An evacuation warning was in place Monday in the Poppet Flats area of San Jacinto as firefighters battled a 517-acre brush fire that authorities believed was human-caused.

The fire was reported around 2:20 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Soboba and Gilman Springs roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

At the time of the initial report, the upslope-burning fire was estimated at five acres, but grew to 650 acres by 7:30 p.m., according to the fire department.

The fire was 15% contained by Monday morning, and later downgraded to 517 acres early Monday afternoon.

An evacuation warning was issued in parts of Poppet Flats north of Wolf Road, west of Partridge Street and Hungry Hollow Road, south of Old Idyllwild Road and east of Gubner, according to the fire department.

Multiple air and ground resources were on the scene.

Six firefighters were taken to a hospital with minor medical symptoms, the department said.

Officials did not say whether they believed the fire was accidentally or intentionally set.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued an air quality alert for increased fine particle pollution from the fire in the areas of Riverside, Palm Springs, Corona, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Indio, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Idlyllwild-Pine Cove and the Coachella Valley.

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