November 1, 2022

This year the NSAQMD was able to host its annual Burn Wise event at the Veteran’s Hall, at times known as the Wood Stove Work Shop event. Here we discussed the Greater Portola Woodstove Change-out program. The event took place September 24, 2022 midafternoon at the Veteran’s Hall here in Portola, CA. Joining the Air District were businesses, Quincy Hot Spot, Wolf Creek Wood Stoves, and Heat Transfer Systems. Don and Wendy of Quincy Hot Spot were out front on the pellet grill cooking up some hotdogs for participants to enjoy. Inside, we had a host of representatives from local organizations such as Plumas County Fire Safe Council, Portola Fire Wise, City Council members Bill Powers and Phil Oels, and Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association representative from Sacramento, John Crouch. The District also had local face painter Abby Birnbryer present, representation from Beckwourth Fire Department.

Our goal behind events like this one, is to bring the community together to discuss the importance of safety in our community, starting with cleaning up the air we breath by reducing PM2.5 concentrations in our airshed. You can find more information about what you can do to reduce PM2.5 emissions in our area by visiting the US EPA Burn Wise page here. There is a lot we can accomplish locally to achieve good air quality. With available grant funds, Zone 1 and 2 residents have access to chimney sweep vouchers, one cord woodsheds, and a wood stove change out program that is applicable to anyone with a woodstove 20 years or older. Old woodstoves can be changed out for kerosene monitors, propane heaters, electric mini split heat pumps, wood stoves, and pellet stoves.

We’d love to encourage anyone to apply. Call the district to learn more about the programs and we will see what we can do to help reduce emissions.

Additionally, the District participated in Gary Romano’s Friday Farmers Market over the course of the summer. This served as a great way to connect with local residents and answer questions about the Targeted Airshed Grants, their purpose, and qualifying factors to receive a change-out. What we really enjoyed about this event was the recognition that “my neighbor would benefit from this” or “my daughter has a very old woodstove, I will share this with her”. By extending information we were able to help several individuals this summer. We look forward to attending and hosting more events in 2023!

-Your NSAQMD crew