Clark County Air Quality Wants You to Put Out the Fire This Christmas
Less wood-burning on Dec. 24 and 25 will reduce air pollution to avoid exceeding federal clean air standards.
As families gather in homes across the Vegas Valley this holiday season—specifically Dec. 24 and 25—Clark County’s Department of Environment & Sustainability (DES) is asking people with wood-burning fireplaces, fire pits and stoves to Put Out the Fire!
Over the past two years, Clark County registered exceedances of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s health-based standard for PM2.5 (particulate matter) on Dec. 25. The culprit: increased wood-burning throughout the region. According to Ted Lendis, planning manager for the Division of Air Quality within DES, those exceedance days can lead to federal restrictions if they keep adding up.
“We’re asking people to not burn firewood on Dec. 25 to break the streak of Christmas Day exceedances this year,” said Lendis. “One less fire in your home and other homes can mean the difference in local air quality.”
The Christmas Day Exceedances In 2022, the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) recorded exceedances for PM2.5 at two of 14 air monitoring stations throughout Clark County on both Dec. 24 and 25. Another PM2.5 exceedance was recorded on Dec. 25, 2023, at two of 14 air monitoring stations. Air Quality specialists determined increased wood burning to be the primary reason for the exceedances.
What is Particulate Matter A criteria pollutant according to the EPA, particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Dust, smoke, dirt and soot make up particulate matter. DAQ monitors and regulates particulate pollution in two sizes:
- PM10: inhalable particulates, such as dust.
- PM2.5: smaller inhalable particles, such as smoke and soot.
How Can People Put Out the Fire? In lieu of putting another log on the fire, DAQ is encouraging people to eschew wood-burning and take the Put Out the Fire Pledge. Everyone who signs the pledge is automatically entered into a drawing to win an electric fireplace, courtesy of the American Lung Association Nevada. Air Quality officials also encourage people to use “burn wise” habits when burning wood.
- Use dry, seasoned wood for fires. Don’t burn wet, coated, painted and pressure-treated wood.
- If you use manufactured logs, choose those made from 100 percent compressed sawdust.
- Don’t use gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid to start a fire.
- Don’t burn trash, cardboard, plastics, wrapping paper, magazines or foam.
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
- For more tips, go to DAQ’s Burn Wise page.
“One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves this holiday season is better air quality and we, as residents, have the power to do it,” said Lendis. “One small sacrifice this Christmas Day to Put Out the Fire will go a long way for protecting the air we share.”