Thursday, January 22, 2026

Thursday is No-Burn Day for Pasadena and Much of Southern California

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a No-Burn Alert for Thursday, prohibiting wood burning in fireplaces and in all indoor or outdoor devices in Pasadena and across four Los Angeles-area counties.

The alert covers the South Coast Air Basin, including large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, except the high desert and Coachella Valley.

“South Coast AQMD reminds residents in these areas that burning wood in their fireplaces or any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device is prohibited at any time on No-Burn Days,” the agency said.

Smoke from wood burning can cause health problems, according to the AQMD. Fine particulate matter called PM2.5 can get deep into the lungs to cause asthma attacks and other respiratory problems, increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service are exempt from the requirement. Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are also not restricted, according to the AQMD.

The order will be in effect through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, officials said.

More information was available at aqmd.gov.