Valley fireplace regulations tighten

Friday, Oct. 31, 2008

Valley residents seeking to trim their heating bills in a sour economy will be tempted to light a log in the fireplace this winter. But starting today, they'll have fewer chances to strike that match without breaking the law.

Tough new air pollution rules could more than quadruple the number of no-burn days to an estimated 48 in some corners of the Valley this winter. And the rules will now apply to foothill residents, who have been exempt in the past from such limits. The rules apply through Feb. 28.

Rule violators will face a $50 fine for the first offense. Violators can escape the fine by attending an air pollution class. But additional offenses carry larger fines. A second violation in a three-year period drives the fine up to $150, and further violations would escalate the fine from there.

Wood burning is banned on winter days when particle pollution hangs in the Valley's cold, hazy air. Restrictions on fireplace use are needed because the Valley's air quality is among the nation's worst, air pollution officials say.

But people who use and sell firewood don't seem ready to give it up.

"I don't think people are going to adhere to the regulations," said Tom Williams of Fresno, who sells firewood.

"With PG&E bills the way they are, people don't like to turn their heaters on."

Other firewood salespeople say $500 in firewood for the winter can save much more in utility costs. And more people are looking for firewood this year.

Wood cutters bought 7% more permits this year than last year in the Sequoia National Forest, which stretches from Fresno County to Kern County. It is expected that wood cutters will saw down about 2% more wood, forest officials said.

Fresno resident Linda Martinez, 60, has placed an ad looking for free wood and said she drives around looking for wood to burn in her downtown Fresno home. She said she burns the wood only on the coldest days.

"I can't afford $300 electric bills," she said. "One nice fire in the evening pretty much warms my house."

Under the regulation, wood burning will be prohibited when particulates in the air reach 30 micrograms per cubic meter, invisible to the naked eye. The current threshold is 65 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

Particulates aggravate asthma and cause headaches, eye and throat irritation, and coughing.

The additional limits on wood burning are expected to cut tiny particle pollutants by 435.7 tons in the Valley by 2010, with nearly half of the reductions occurring in Fresno County.

Only people who do not have access to natural gas are exempt, said Anthony Presto, a district spokesman.

Last year, people who live above 3,000 feet elevation -- places like Tollhouse or Shaver Lake -- were exempt. No longer.

Presto said the district will respond to complaints and patrol neighborhoods to look for smoking chimneys on no-burn days.

The district issued 87 citations last year and 203 the year before.

Fewer citations were issued last year because more people were complying with the rule, said Jessica Hafer, a district air quality specialist.

The district will revive a rebate program early next year to encourage residents to buy lower-polluting heating devices, such as pellet stoves or natural gas fireplaces, he said.

Residents seeking to avoid high heating bills may be tempted to warm their homes with space heaters, ovens or barbecues.

But fire officials warn that those alternatives could be deadly, igniting fires or causing carbon monoxide poisoning.

Even people using their fireplaces properly could be at risk, the National Fire Protection Association said.

Among those surveyed by the association, 36% have never had their chimneys inspected or cleaned of residues that could catch fire.

People who need help paying their utility bill may qualify for discounts, said Jeff Smith, a Pacific Gas & Electric spokesman. PG&E also has programs that allow customers to average their utility bill across the entire year to smooth out billing peaks.

"If people are in a position where they may be falling behind on their energy bill, we are really good about coming up with payment plans," Smith said.