Division of Air Quality begins burn ratings

With the weather turning cold, winter air inversions are possible, when smoke can accumulate close to the ground. As a result, the Utah Division of Air Quality is again managing wood-fire pollution.

Tuesday, the division began its 13th season of curtailing air pollution from wood-burning and coal-burning stoves and fireplaces, according to a press release from the department. When inversions warrant, red alerts are issued. That means no burning is allowed. A yellow alert is for voluntary no-burning and a green alert means all burning is allowed.

"The wood smoke program has been absolutely crucial for Utah to meet air quality standards in the winter," Rick Sprott, director of the Division of Air Quality, said in the press release. "Citizens are well aware of the pollution smoke creates and nearly everyone heeds the 'no burn' warnings."

The rules will be in effect through March 6, 2006. Conditions are announced daily in newspapers and other media. For updates, call the Air Pollution Index Hotline at 801-975-4009 for Salt Lake and Davis counties and toll-free at 800-228-5434 for other counties.

The state's Red Light-Green Light Program targets fine particulates and carbon monoxide emissions in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties. In addition, the Bear River River Health Department has a wood-burning program for Cache County, whose residents may call 435-792-6612.

Fines from $25 to $299 are possible for disobeying the mandatory no-burn rules.

"Air quality officials routinely patrol the neighborhoods and will work with homeowners who are burning on 'red' days to educate them on the implications of their actions," the release said.