Burning of wood is prohibited on Thursday because of pollution concerns

The burning of wood in fireplaces or outdoor pits and stoves will be prohibited in much of Southern California on Thursday, Dec. 27, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said. The ban includes manufactured logs such as those made from wax or paper.

The order affects Orange County, Los Angeles and non-desert portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The order does not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet, the Coachella Valley or the High Desert. Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat and low-income households also are exempt, the agency said.

Particles in wood smoke can be breathed in and damage lungs, the agency said. The orders are issued when emissions and stagnant weather cause unhealthy levels of fine particulate pollution.