Winter Air Quality Tips

Mt. Shasta Vista Volunteer Fire Company
________________________________________________________________

13502 Roland Dr.
Montague, CA 96064

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November 21, 2005

Simple Wood Burning Tips to Improve Wintertime Air Quality

With the arrival of colder evenings, the Sacramento Metropolitan

Air Quality Management District wants to remind residents that

wood smoke from fireplaces and wood stoves can settle in

neighborhoods and cause health problems.

Neighborhood smoke pollution is at its worst when calm, still

weather conditions combine with residential wood fires using

the wrong type of wood or burning at too low a temperature.

If you decide to light a fire, there are several simple tips

to reduce the amount of fine particles emitted into our air:

* Burn only dry, seasoned wood - unseasoned wood burns poorly

and creates thick smoke because of its high moisture content.

* Use manufactured fireplace logs - logs made from fine-particle

sawdust and wax burn slowly and at a higher temperature, sending

less air up your chimney and producing less smoke.

* Build small, hot fires - large fires smolder and pollute more.

* Give your fire plenty of room - a fire with a generous air

supply reduces heavy smoke emissions.

* Never burn garbage, glossy paper, painted and chemically

treated wood - they all create toxic smoke and fumes.

If you choose to use a wood or pellet stove, make sure it is

EPA certified.

For more information, please visit the Spare The Air web site at http://www.sparetheair.com/take_action.cfm#winter

This AirAlert is provided by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.