NSAQMD to host free Burn Wise event on Saturday, September 24

The Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (NSAQMD) is happy to share that they will be hosting a free Burn Wise Event for the community, taking place at the Veterans Hall in Portola on Saturday, September 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be lunch, treats, and beverages provided, as well as face painting.

The event will feature several local vendors and speakers. Beckwourth Fire Department will be at the event along with local businesses Quincy Hot Spot, Wolf Creek Wood Stoves, and Heat Transfer Systems, as well as Plumas County Fire Safe Council. NSAQMD will raffle off three one-cord wood sheds and be giving away one bundle of BIO BLOCKS to the first 88 participants at the event.

“The goal is to inform residents of our wood stove change out program and the surrounding program elements such as the importance of annual chimney sweeps and the vouchers we supply, one-cord wood sheds that we supply to residents with EPA-compliant wood heating devices, and education and display of electric mini split heat pumps,” explained an organizer. “The goal we aim to accomplish is attainment-we want to attain good ambient air quality.”

The greater Portola area has been designated in Non-attainment by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for PM2.5 emissions directly related to winter time wood burning since 2015. Together, the community can achieve ambient air quality attainment by burning clean, seasoned wood and maintaining devices so that they’re burning efficiently while reducing emissions.