No-Burn Alert In Effect For Sherman Oaks Through Tuesday

SHERMAN OAKS, CA — With air pollution expected to be even higher than normal tomorrow, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a no-burn alert prohibiting indoor and outdoor wood burning. The alert will be in affect through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday night throughout non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange County.

AQMD said small particles in wood smoke, also known as particulate matter or PM2.5, can nestle their way to the lungs and cause respiratory problems, such as asthma.

"Do your part to help keep our air clean by not burning wood during the mandatory wood burning ban," AQMD said in a press release. "No burn day alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health when levels of fine particulate air pollution in the region are forecast to be high."

First-time offenders of the temporary ban will have to pay $50 or complete a wood smoke awareness course. Second-time offenders must pay $150 or provide proof of installing a gas fireplace, while third-time offenders must pay a $500 fine.