According to KCPH Environmental Health Administrator Lance Lindow, “Residents within the air quality zone (AQZ) help reduce local air pollution from wood-stoves and fireplaces by using information provided by Klamath County Public Health. During more extreme events of air stagnation, agencies and residents outside the AQZ are also involved in the reduction of pollution by reducing or restricting burning in their area.”
To know when to burn, call 541-882-BURN (2876), visit airquality.klamathcounty.org, or https://www.facebook.com/KlamathBasinAirQuality, or check the air quality message board at the Fairgrounds. Daily information is available after 8:30 a.m.
Below is a color-coded guide to assist in determining whether wood heating is allowed within the AQZ:
- Green: All wood-stoves, pellet stoves and fireplaces may be used inside and outside the air quality zone. Outdoor burning is allowed outside the air quality zone. Check with your local fire district prior to burning. Use only seasoned dry wood.
- Yellow: Only certified wood-stoves, pellet stoves, and fireplace inserts may be used inside the air quality zone. Individuals with approved exemptions may use their wood burning heat source inside the air quality zone. Use only seasoned dry wood.
- Red: Only pellet stoves may be used inside the air quality zone. Individuals with approved exemptions may use their wood burning heat source inside the air quality zone. Use only seasoned dry wood. Outdoor burning is prohibited countywide.
- Red health alert: Only pellet stoves may be used inside the air quality zone. Exemptions are void inside the air quality zone. All Klamath County residents, inside and outside the air quality zone, are encouraged to use a non-wood burning source of heat. Outdoor burning is prohibited countywide.
The air quality zone can be seen on the map below. For more information, call Klamath County Public Health at 541-883-1122.
