A mandatory No-Burn Day alert has been issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District , prohibiting all residential wood burning in the South Coast Air Basin due to high levels of air pollution.
The alert, which will be in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. Friday, applies to residents in Orange County and the non-desert areas of Los Angeles , Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Exemptions apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet, the Coachella Valley , and the High Desert, as well as homes that rely on wood as their sole heat source or are in low-income households without natural gas service.
Mountain Fire destroys century-old Santa Paula home as homeowner escapes with pets
Air quality levels have been adversely affected by multiple wildfires in the area, including the Mountain Fire burning in Ventura County . Heavy winds also kicked up ash and dust into the air, leading to a Windblown Dust and Ash advisory being issued Wednesday.