From November through February, South Coast AQMD asks residents to “Check Before You Burn” avoiding indoor and outdoor wood burning on days when unhealthy air quality is forecast. 

Throughout the winter months, smog and stagnant weather conditions can lead to unhealthy levels of air pollution, and particulate matter. Woodsmoke from fireplaces can worsen these conditions. Increased particulate pollution can aggravate respiratory conditions and increase the risk of asthma attack and other cardiovascular or respiratory issues.

During our annual Check Before You Burn season, South Coast AQMD issues “No-Burn Alerts” when air quality is predicted to be unhealthy. These alerts restrict residential wood-burning in fireplaces, backyard fire pits, and wood stoves, for a period of 24 hours.

There are multiple ways you can Check Before You Burn: 

• Sign up at www.AirAlerts.org to receive air quality forecasts and to be notified when a No-burn alert has been issued. 

• Visit the Check Before You Burn website.

• Call 866-966-3293 for daily Check Before You Burn information.

• Download the South Coast AQMD app to check local air quality and receive notifications when No-burn Days are called. 

• Follow South Coast AQMD on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To learn more about the program, visit www.aqmd.gov/cbyb. To file a residential wood-burning complaint, call 1-800-CUT-SMOG.