"Check Before You Light"
The "Check Before You Light" Program ends for the 2012-2013 season- last day is Thursday, February 28, 2013. Press Release
Do you live within the City Limits of Chico? For information on the City's wood burning restrictions, contact 896-7800 or by email at woodburning@ci.chico.ca.us.
"Check Before You Light" is a voluntary program requesting residents to refrain from using wood stoves and fireplaces during poor air quality. The program runs from November through February. When an advisory is issued it will be posted on this website and sent to the media.
Check Before You Light TV Commercial
How To "Check Before You Light":
- Check Our Burn Hotline: 332-9409 or toll free at 855-332-9409
- Check Your E-Mail:
Receive an e-mail for Air Quality Forecasts: Sign Up (Choose AQI 101 or + for Advisory)
- Receive Tweets on Twitter: Follow BCAQMD on Twitter for Advisories
- Check Our Web Site: For Today's Air Quality
- Check the Media: Advisories will be issued to newspapers, radio and television stations.
Important Note: Woodstove and fireplace use within the City City Limits is restricted by a new City ordinance. For more information, please contact the City of Chico at 896-7800 or by email woodburning@ci.chico.ca.us.
Reduce Smoke When You Do Light:
- Use only dry, well-seasoned wood. Properly seasoned wood is darker, has cracks in the grain and weighs less.
- Keep your chimney swept and ash bin clean to improve air flow and reduce smoke.
- Stack wood loosely in your firebox, so plenty of air circulates around it.
- Keep the flame active. Don't let your fire smolder overnight - keep enough air in the fire to maintain a flame.
- Check your chimney regularly to see how well your fire is burning.
- When storing wood, stack it under covering in a dry ventilated area.
- Properly install and maintain your EPA certified wood burning appliance. Your new appliance burns much cleaner and uses less fuel!
Need more info on Wood Stoves & Fireplaces? Click here.
See the 2011-2012 season summary here.
"Check Before You Light" is implemented when air pollution approaches unhealthy levels. The program is aimed at keeping pollution levels of particulate matter below the health-based standards. The following files in pdf format provide additional information: