IT'S OCTOBER 1ST … MEANING YOU NEED TO CHECK BEFORE YOU LIGHT UP YOUR WOODBURNING FIREPLACE IN ALBUQUERQUE TO MAKE SURE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT. JEFF STONESIFER WITH THE CITY'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS RESTRICTIONS ARE PUT IN PLACE UNDER CERTAIN METEORLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
HE SAYS THEY LOOK FOR DRY AIR, HOW CALM THE WINDS ARE, AND IF AN INVERSION FORMS RAPIDLY. HE SAYS THE BAN INSURES THE AIR QUALITY DOESN'T GET TOO SMOKEY, WHICH PRESENTS A PROBLEM FOR RESIDENTS WITH RESPIRATORY ISSUES.
STONESIFER SAYS PEOPLE WHOSE ONLY HEAT SOURCE IS THEIR WOODBURNING STOVE OR CANNOT AFFORD GAS HEAT ARE EXEMPT FROM THE BURN BAN. THE BURN-NO BURN PROGRAM CONTINUES UNTIL SPRING.
