Wood Burning in Southern California: Air Quality Regulations & Fire Bans

It depends on the air quality and the specific regulations in your area. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which regulates air quality in southern California, has restrictions on burning wood in fireplaces. During certain periods when air quality is poor, the SCAQMD may issue a "no-burn" day, during which it is illegal to burn wood in any fireplace or outdoor fire pit. To check if there is a no-burn day in your area, you can visit the SCAQMD website or call their hotline at (800) 231-4253.

In addition to no-burn days, there are also permanent restrictions on burning wood in certain areas of southern California. For example, in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Los Angeles, Orange County, and parts of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura counties, it is illegal to burn wood in a fireplace unless the fireplace is equipped with a certified insert that meets certain emissions standards.

So, whether you can burn wood in your fireplace in southern California depends on the air quality and the regulations in your specific area. It's always a good idea to check the SCAQMD website or call their hotline before burning wood in your fireplace.