Residential open burning ended Nov. 19 in American Valley
Open burning will reopen March 16
Residential open burning in American Valley ended Nov. 19. The purpose of this wintertime burn ban is to keep air pollution levels within state and federal standards for particulate matter, known as PM2.5.
During the winter, much of the community heats with wood, and smoke from stoves elevates the levels of particulate matter (especially during inversions when warmer air aloft traps smoke close to the ground, in the breathing zone). Banning open burning during the winter allows the community to continue to heat with wood without exceeding air quality standards.
The Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District Board of Directors adopted this Rule 318 in 1991. For more information, visit the Air District’s website at www.myairdistrict.com.
Open burning is never allowed in downtown Quincy and East Quincy or within the city limits of Portola. Plumas County, outside the Quincy area, may participate in residential open burning when these rules are followed:
– Burn only on permissive burn days (Rule 313),
– Obtain a burn permit from a fire agency when required (Rule 312),
– Burn only on the premises where material originated (Rule 311),
– Never burn garbage or construction debris. Burn only natural vegetation. (Rule 302),
– Construct burn piles loosely, arranged to facilitate rapid combustion. Never allow smoke to enter a populated area or create a nuisance (Rule 315),
– Be a good neighbor. Smoke from your burn pile should never impact others!
To find out if it is a permissive burn day, visit www.myairdistrict.com., call 283-3602 (choose either option 4 or 5, depending on if you are within the Quincy area or not).
To contact the Air District, call the Portola office at 832-0102, or District headquarters at 274-9360.
