Did you know that for a few days last week the government had an air alert—limit your outdoor activities and don’t burn wood—except if you are above 3000 feet. Never saw this in any mainstream media, on TV or radio. I found this story, after the fact, it is almost unread Newsweek. I bet many of you did not know Newsweek still existed.
This is another example of government waste. Who cares what some government agent says. Did you feel the air was going to kill you last week? Did you know that some arbitrary data said to stop outdoor activities. Yet not a single golf course was closed. No tennis court was closed. This was a joke. Expect, it was a joke no one knew about.
Millions in California Told To Limit Outdoor Activity As LA Alert Issued
By Alia Shoaib, Newsweek, 12/5/24 https://www.newsweek.com/california-limit-outdoor-air-quality-1995893
Millions of people in southern California have been advised to limit outdoor activity and refrain from burning wood on Thursday amid concerns about air quality.
The mandatory wood-burning ban has been extended throughout the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County and the non-desert areas of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The ban prohibits the burning of wood, pellets and manufactured fire logs, both indoors and outdoors.
It does not apply to areas above 3,000 feet in elevation and homes that rely on wood as a sole heat source, as well as low-income homes that do not have a natural gas service.
The ban and the air quality alert are in effect until midnight on Thursday across the South Coast Air Basin.
The No-Burn rule has been enforced because smoke particles can get into people’s lungs and cause respiratory issues.
“No-Burn days are needed to protect public health when fine particle pollution levels are expected to be high anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin,” a National Weather Service alert said.
It noted that No-Burn Days are implemented based on forecasted fine particle pollution levels over a 24-hour period, which might not be reflected in real-time air quality maps.
The agency suggests that residents limit their outdoor activities and keep windows and doors closed when air quality is poor.
People are also advised to run air conditioners and air purifiers, and avoid using devices that bring in outside air.
California suffers from some of the worst air quality issues in the country, partly due to its high population density, hot weather, frequent wildfires and high human-caused emissions.
The state has implemented several measures to address air quality issues, such as introducing strict vehicle emissions standards and promoting clean energy alternatives.
Smoke, regardless of the source, will damage people’s and animal’s lungs, just like cigarettes and cigars. Fire places in new home construction should be banned, Existing home fireplaces should be phased out over a 2 year period. Manufactured pellet and manufactured fire logs are just as harmful as wood burning if not more so in some cases. The added benefit is the wood from trees that are not burned can be used to make paper bags and cardboard boxes. Replace plastic!