2007-01-26 Fireplace smoke advisory issued (By E-R Staff)

Butte County pollution control officials issued an advisory at 1 p.m. Thursday that poor air quality is expected, and are asking residents to refrain from using woodstoves for the next 24 hours.

The voluntary "Don't Light Tonight" advisory by the Butte County Air Quality Management District was triggered by an forecast that the air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Woodstoves have found to be a major contributor to the "small particulate" pollution that's a problem this time of year in Butte County. Small particulates are tiny bits of soot, dirt and the like that are suspended in the air.

Stagnant conditions have allowed the particulates to build up in the valley. That's prompted to request to forgo woodfires.

The program is completely voluntary, but Gail Williams of the Air Quality District said there's been a good response to the request in the past.