Sacramento County is paying attention to the air quality and the health of the residents.

Starting Dec. 1, 2007 if you have a wood-burning fireplace in your house you will be restricted on when you can burn.

This will include all of Sacramento County and unincorporated areas of Sacramento County as well as the cities of Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton Rancho Cordova and Sacramento.

Homes burning wood are the largest single source of Sacramento County's air quality problems.

There will be days when the County will issue a "no burn" starting December 1, 2007. It's important to comply as the first offense will be $50 and subsequent violations go up. However, I am told this first year no fines will be given, only citations. But hey, I wouldn't take the chance...might as well get into the spirit of doing your part and helping your neighbor breathe easier.

There are exceptions for those who have wood-burning as there only source of heat, devices that are fired by gaseous fuel (propane), cook-stoves and BBQ.

Television, radio and newspapers will notify Sacramentans of "No Burn" days and you may also go to Spare the Air for information.

This restriction includes those with pellet stoves.

This does not apply to gas fireplaces.

On days when you can burn wood, it's a good idea to burn clean so that we avoid "no burn" days. Burning clean means to burn dry, seasoned, hardwood. Don't burn wood that is moist or wet, it will smoke and that's what we are trying to avoid. Burning manufactured logs is not recommended.

There are four stages to the Burn Restrictions:

Stage 2 is all burning of any solid fuel is prohibited

Stage 1 there is no burning unless an EPA certified fireplace insert or stove is used

Burning Discouraged but if you do burn, a stove or fireplace insert is recommended

Burn Cleanly is burning wood that is dry and seasoned hardwood

For more information about how you can help see Sacramento Air Quality