Lack Of Wind, Rain Makes Burning Illegal

Lori Kobza is with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. Kobza says a winter air inversion is trapping pollutants in the valleys below.

"We are in a Stage Two - all burning prohibited - situation, so I'm asking people to not burn," Kobza says.

Getting caught with smoke coming out of your chimney could get you fined $50 for a first offense.

Kobza points out the Sacramento area has been in a "no burn" pattern for more than a week because of trapped pollutants which can hurt people with respiratory issues and the elderly.

"Until we have rain or wind to blow it out, we're kind of stuck in this weather pattern," Kobza says. "And I'd also like to point out, we're not the only ones in a no-burn situation - both the San Joaquin Valley and the entire Bay Area also have residential wood burning rules and they are also no burn."

Washoe County health officials in Reno have also extended a no burn alert into its second week.