Weather conditions will cause air pollution to stagnate over the South Coast Air Basin, prompting a ban on the use of wood- burning fireplaces in much of Southern California Monday.
The residential no-burn alert was effective at midnight and will last through midnight said SCAQMD spokesman Sam Atwood.
Gas and electric fires are not restricted, but burning logs, scrap paper or wood and manufactured logs is prohibited.
Homes in areas below 3,000 feet in elevation are affected in all of Los Angeles and Orange counties, and the urban areas of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The Coachella Valley and high desert are not included in the ban area.
Also, homes that do not have natural gas service may burn wood for heat, as may residences inhabited by low-income residents who need to stay warm, the SCAQMD said.
—City News Service