Stricter wood-burning rules sought

New clean air rules would put tighter restrictions on Northern San Joaquin Valley residents who like to stoke their fireplaces during colder months.

Since 2003, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has banned wood burning on days when unhealthy levels of particle pollution are predicted. The regulations are enforced Nov. 1 through the end of February.

The new policy would lower the pollution threshold for calling "no burn" days by more than 50 percent. It comes as the eight-county air district tries to meet tighter federal standards on particle pollution that were adopted in 2006.

The tighter rules could be imposed in November. The policy would exempt homes in rural areas where natural gas hookups are not available.

Residents can be fined $50 for first-time violations and face bigger fines for subsequent violations.

The air district will hold workshops in Modesto and Stockton this week to discuss the regulations and receive comments from the public.

According to district officials, the regulations would prevent Stanislaus County residents from using their fireplaces about 12 days a year. Under the present regulations, the county had three "no burn" days in 2005-06, nine in 2006-07 and one in 2007-08.

San Joaquin County is expected to have nine "no burn" days a year, compared with none last winter and one each in 2006-07 and 2005-06; Merced County is expected to have 12, compared with none last winter and two each in 2006-07 and 2005-06.

"Wood smoke does have a significant impact on regional air quality," said Scott Nester, planning director for the air district. "Even when the air quality is relatively good throughout the valley, you can have pockets of wood smoke in neighborhoods."

Wood-burning fireplaces emit carbon monoxide and tiny particles that linger in the air. When inhaled, the smallest particles can be absorbed in the bloodstream or embed in the lungs.

Studies have tied the pollution to asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, irregular heartbeat and decreased lung function in children.

The district credits the fireplace restrictions with improving air quality in the valley. The tighter rules should help the air basin attain standards for tiny particle pollution by 2015. If the standard is not attained, the threshold for calling "no burn" days could be lowered further, a district staff report says.

Modesto resident Duwayne Stenger said he's against placing more restrictions on fireplaces.

"I think it is a problem for the people on fixed incomes who try to burn wood to heat their houses," he said. "The PG&E gas is expensive, and they are trying to make ends meet."

The district has offered financial incentives through Operation Clean Air for people to replace wood-burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts with cleaner gas devices. From Feb. 1 through April 30, valley residents were offered vouchers giving $350 discounts toward the purchase of a gas unit. About 600 wood-burning units were replaced.

"What we are seeing is that folks have shifted away from wood burning," Nester said. "They found they didn't need it as much during the winter months."

For more details on the fireplace regulations, go to www.valleyair.org. On the left side of the page, click on "public meetings," then "workshops & hearings" and then "Rule 4901 (Wood burning fireplaces and wood burning heaters)."

The district will receive written comments on the fireplace rules until Aug. 28. Email comments to jessica.hafer@valleyair.org or address comments to Jessica Hafer, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, 1990 E. Gettysburg Ave., Fresno, 93726.

Bee staff writer Ken Carlson can be reached at kcarlson@modbee.com or 578-2321.