Butte County Air Quality Management District
2525 Dominic Drive, Ste. J 
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 891-2882

"Check Before You Light"

The Check Before You Light Program ended February 28, 2010.

The 2009-2010 voluntary Check Before You Light Program review and staff report is expected to be available soon and will be posted on this webpage.

Check Before You Light TV Commercial

"Check Before You Light" is in effect beginning November 1, 2009 through February 2010. When an advisory is issued it will be posted on this website and sent to the media. The voluntary program request residents to refrain from using wood stoves and fireplaces during poor air quality from midnight until the following midnight.

 How To "Check Before You Light": 

  • Check Our Burn Hotline: 896-2537 or toll free at 866-240-0859 (press 3 and #).
  • Check Your E-Mail: 
              Receive advance Advisory Notification by E-mail: Sign Up
              Receive an e-mail for Air Quality Forecasts:  Sign Up (Choose AQI 101 or higher for Advisory Days)
  • Check Our Web Site: For Today's Air Quality
  • Check the Media: Advisories will be issued to newspapers, radio and television stations.

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!

For more detailed information on the Check Before You Light Program see: Report to the Governing Board October 15, 2009: 2009-2010 "Check Before You Light" Voluntary Program

"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:

Glossary for Wood Burning Appliances

What are Temperature Inversions?

View Today's Air Quality in Butte County in:

Chico   •   Gridley   •   Paradise

The U.S. EPA Air Now website provides a guide on the AQI and your health: Air Quality Index and Your Health