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California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal-Fire) 
    Debris Burning Safety and Burn Permit Information  

Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR)
    Provides Summary of Health Consultation 

EPA has launched Burn Wise educational campaign to help reduce wood smoke pollution.

The program encourages people to burn the right wood, the right way, in the right wood-burning appliance. In many areas across the nation, wood smoke is a significant contributor to particle pollution. EPA's message is fairly simple: If people burn wood, they can save money and have a safer and healthier home by following these tips:

• Burn only dry, seasoned wood. It’s better for the air – and your wallet. Look for wood that is darker, has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when hit against another piece of wood. Dry seasoned wood is more efficient at heating your home and therefore can add up to significant savings over the winter. Never burn painted or treated wood or trash.
• Maintain your wood stove or fireplace and have a certified technician inspect them yearly. A certified technician can clean dangerous soot from your chimney and keep your wood stove or fireplace working properly – reducing your risk of a home fire.
• Change to an EPA-certified wood stove or fireplace insert. These models are more efficient than older models, keeping your air cleaner, your home safer and your fuel bill lower, while keeping you warm in the winter. Please see below for information on AQMD's Incentive Woodstove Replacement Rebate Program.

Incentive Woodstove Replacement Program 

On July 17, 2007, the Board of Directors approved $55,000 to fund a woodstove/fireplace replacement incentive program (Chimney Smoke RIP) to encourage homeowners to permanently remove or replace older woodstoves or fireplaces with cleaner burning devices to improve winter air quality. On March 12, 2013, the Board increased the monetary incentives and streamlined the Chimney Smoke RIP. The new funding levels are: $500 for removal of non-EPA certified wood burning device (i.e., open fireplace, woodstove, etc) and replace with EPA-certified woodstove, insert, or pellet stove, or $600 for replacement with or use of existing propane, natural gas, or electric heating appliance.  Additionally, AQMD will pay for the cost of the Building Permit.  Funding is intended only for primary residences in El Dorado County and will be available on a first come, first serve basis, until the funds are depleted. Pre-Approval from AQMD is required prior to applying for a building permit. To learn more about this program and how to apply for funding go to the AQMD Grant/Incentive Refunds.

Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) - Public Outreach

The AQMD is conducting public outreach to rental yards, landscapers, drillers and other contractors who own or operate diesel powered portable equipment greater that 50 horsepower, to provide information regarding applicable state regulations and to announce increased local enforcement for unpermitted equipment. For information on applicable state regulations see: http://www.arb.ca.gov/portable/portable.htm

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has provided an update to Indoor Air Cleaner Regulation:

Beginning October 18, 2010, no person or business may manufacture, sell, supply, offer for sale or introduce into commerce, for use in California, any indoor air cleaning device for use or intended for use in occupied spaces unless the device is certified by the CARB. Two fact sheets issued by CARB and entitled Beware of Ozone-generating Indoor "Air Purifiers" and California’s Regulation to Limit Ozone Emissions from Indoor Air Cleaning Devices, highlight the concerns about intentional ozone generators. The latter also explains the new regulation. These fact sheets may answer many of your questions and help with selection of suitable indoor air cleaners.

AB 998 has provisions for grants for replacement of perchloroethylene dry cleaning equipment.

For information, click here.

 Fire Safe Council Wood Chipping

 

Thank you for working with us to improve air quality!