The U.S. EPA officially designated the Greater Portola area as federal non-attainment for the federal annual standard for PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), on April 15, 2015. High PM2.5 levels are mostly smoke as a result of residential wood burning and are linked with a variety of respiratory and cardiac health issues. Attainment of federal PM2.5 standards is required by the U.S. EPA by the end of 2021. Improving indoor and outdoor air quality positively impacts individual and community health and raises quality of life. Portola Ordinance No. 359 (Portola Municipal Code Chapter 15.10-Wood Stove and Fireplace Ordinance and the Prohibition of the Open Burning of Yard Waste) was adopted by the Portola City Council on June 22, 2016. A voluntary program commenced in November 2017. A mandatory no burn program commenced on January 1, 2021, per the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for achieving attainment for federal and state air quality standards. In December 2021, Portola did not reach its attainment goals and in January 2023 was re-designated as Serious Nonattainment. The District has implemented its contingency measures of reducing the daily healthy concentration of PM2.5 from 30 to 20 micrograms per cubic meter which will increase the amount of curtailment days in the Portola Nonattainment Area. By changing out the remaining uncertified wood stoves, burning appropriate fuels, and regularly maintaining the new EPA certified wood stoves we hope to achieve attainment for the 2012 PM2.5 standard by 2025.

Yes, definitely! If you live in Portola and own a EPA-compliant wood heating device, or have participated in our exchange program, then you are permitted to burn on curtailment days. However, your device should not be emitting visible smoke during a curtailment day. If you notice that your new device is smoking please check the moisture content of your firewood or call the district to help troubleshoot the smoke issue. If you own a EPA-compliant wood heating device, please call or email us to register your woodstove. If you are not sure, call the District and we can help you identify the age of your device. Once registered you may qualify for an annual Chimney Sweep Voucher and a 1-cord woodshed! 

If you have a device that runs on propane, kerosene, pellets, or electricity you do not need to register.

Send Us an email to register your device at mikkib@myairdistrict.com or call,

Phone 530-832-0102 EXT. 1 or 2  

To qualify for a chimney sweep voucher, your wood stove should be less than 20 years old. It’s also important to have your device registered with the district.

Contact us today at 530-832-0102 EXT 1 or EXT 2 for Spanish speaking to receive a voucher. 

The Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District announces  that the Clear the Air Check before you Light program and mandatory wood stove curtailment period for the City of Portola began November 1, 2022. There are currently restrictions for residents who have fireplaces or wood/pellet stoves in the City of Portola that are not EPA-certified up to Phase II emissions control technology. This status changes daily. If you have participated in the program or have registered your wood heating device then please use the curtailment period at your discretion. If residents have a secondary heat source, it is encouraged to use it to help reduce emissions and related health hazards in the airshed.

The Clear the Air- Check Before You Light program is designed to inform Portola City residents whether it’s permissible by City Ordinance to use a non-EPA Certified wood-burning device between the months of September and April. The mandatory curtailment period is required to keep our air pollution levels safe for everyone. If there are adverse weather conditions that will cause significant fine particulates in the air (PM2.5), NSAQMD will issue a mandatory wood stove curtailment. This means no one in the City of Portola can use a non-EPA certifed wood heating device (per Portola City Ordinance 359).

The good news is that NSAQMD, through a federal EPA grant, has funds to offer every City resident who own a non-EPA compliant wood heating device a brand new pellet, kerosene, propane, EPA certified wood heating or electric mini split heat pump at little to no cost to the qualifying residents. 

Please contact the District today to see if your home qualifies for an upgraded heating system.

Now is a great time to schedule a new installation, receive a free chimney sweep if you haven’t done so already or talk to one of our representatives about optimal burning methods and dry wood storage supplies. 

Call today at 530-832-0102 EXT 1 or EXT 2 for Spanish speaking or email mikkib@myairdistrict.com

Wood smoke creates exposure to elevated PM2.5 (fine particulate matter in smoke) concentrations, which can result in eye and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, congestion, coughing, impaired lung function and chest pain, especially among sensitive individuals such as the elderly, children, people with asthma, people with heart or lung conditions, pregnant women and anyone who is exercising or working hard outdoors.

If you burn in an EPA certified heating device, check to make sure your fire is burning hot enough that smoke is not being emitted from your chimney.   If you do not own an EPA certified wood heating device please call the Air District, Portola Office at 530-832-0102 ext 1 to find out how to change out your Non-EPA certified wood stove or fireplace to an EPA certified heating device at little to no cost.

Please check this information daily for advisories during the months of September through April