Wood-Burning Ban Issued for Monrovia Today

Monrovia residents are prohibited from burning their wood fireplaces today.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a no burn alert due to "elevated fine particulate levels," according to a news release.  

"No-burn alerts are called when air quality is forecast to be elevated due to fine particulate levels (PM2.5)," officials said. "Wood smoke contains hundreds of contaminants including PM2.5, a pollutant linked to increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations, as well as increased risk of heart attacks and early deaths."

Los Angeles County residents can not burn wood or manufactured fire logs in their fireplaces through midnight. This burn alert marks the eighth one this season, which started Nov. 1 and ends Feb. 28, officials said. 

No burn alerts do not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet. 

Those who live in homes that rely on wood as the only heat source and low-income households, and those without natural gas service are exempt from the ban.

Residents can enter their ZIP code at www.aqmd.gov on no burn days to see if they live in an affected area. To sign up for daily reports on air quality and Check Before You Burn alerts visit www.airalerts.org or call SCAQMD’s 24-hour Check Before You Burn toll-free line at 866-966-3293.

For further information on Check Before You Burn and alternatives to wood burning, see www.healthyhearths.org.