The Valley Air District covers eight counties including San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the Valley air basin portion of Kern. Visit www.valleyair.org to learn more.

MEDIA ADVISORYFor immediate release DATE: 2-3-10

For: local news, assignment editors

North District Media Contact - Modesto Anthony Presto (209) 557-6400 Central District Media Contact - Fresno Jaime Holt (559) 230-5850 South District Media Contact - Bakersfield Brenda Turner (661) 392-5500 Spanish language Media Contact Claudia Encinas (559) 230-5851

Wood-burning prohibition issued for Kings/Kern counties

“No burn” day declared Feb. 3 – A residential wood-burning prohibition has been issued for Kings and the Valley air basin portion of Kern counties for Thursday, Feb. 4, because of deteriorating air quality. The daylong mandatory curtailment will be in effect from midnight Wednesday through midnight Thursday. The curtailment applies to burning wood, pellets and manufactured fire logs. The Check Before You Burn season, which runs from Nov. 1 through the end of February, aims to reduce fall and wintertime air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley through mandatory curtailments that are issued by county when air quality is expected to be poor. Fines for first-time violations start at $50. Exemptions to the mandatory curtailment include residences with no access to natural gas and residences with no other source of heat. The daily wood-burning status is available by county at 4:30 p.m. each day, toll-free, in English and Spanish at 1-800 SMOG INFO (1-800-766-4463) and at www.valleyair.org. Updates in Hmong are available at 1-877-344-1212. The status is also provided as a public service by many news outlets. When wood burning is allowed, it should be done as cleanly as possible by using dry, seasoned wood or manufactured fire logs, such as Duraflame. And remember: Burning trash is NEVER allowed. For more information, visit www.valleyair.org or call the nearest District office: Modesto (209) 557-6400; Fresno (559) 230-6000; or Bakersfield (661) 392-5500.