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.

The post No Burn Order Issued In RivCo: What To Know appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

CAMP PENDLETON, CA—Already smokey skies were getting even hazier Thursday in Southwest Riverside County as a vegetation fire burned at Camp Pendleton.

Details about the blaze were not immediately available but fire departments in the region reported no threat to structures.

On Thursday, base officials announced on social media that a “600-acre prescribed burn was underway” but said the exercise was scheduled Friday and Saturday.

Patch reached out to the base for clarification. This story will be updated when more information is available.

Meanwhile, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an Ozone Advisory effective June 21 across the region, including Southwest Riverside County. While drift smoke from nearby fires has plagued local air quality, the Ozone Advisory was instead issued ahead of extreme heat expected to bear down on the region.

“A multi-day extreme ozone (smog) event is expected due to the heat wave affecting the region,” according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. “Air Quality Index (AQI) will likely reach Unhealthy or higher levels in inland areas of the South Coast Air Basin and in the Coachella Valley at times Friday through Tuesday and possibly beyond.”

The SCAQMD advises the following during periods of poor air quality due to ozone pollution:

• Check air quality levels and limit outdoor activities as necessary. See health recommendations for each AQI level.
• Limit the use of gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment until evening hours.
• Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
• Try to delay trips to the gas station and the use of household chemicals until the evening.

To view current air quality in your neighborhood, download the South Coast AQMD app or visit www.aqmd.gov/AQImap.

The post Drift Smoke Over Southwest Riverside County Coming From Camp Pendleton appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.