This website's content is fully accessible to all browsers, however it will look much better and your experience will be much more enjoyable if you upgrade your browser to one that is standards-compliant.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2005
Contacts:
Bob Dalley, Utah Air Monitoring Center, 801.887.0762
Grant Koford, Bear River Health Department, 435.792.6575
(Salt Lake City, Utah) — The “Red Light-Green Light” air quality program, which curtails wood burning during winter inversions, has been extended two weeks to March 14 in Cache, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties.
State air quality officials and the Bear River Health Department have extended the program, which normally runs Nov. 1 to March 1, because of continuing winter conditions and the possibility of more inversions. Inversions trap pollution near the ground where it can impact respiratory health, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory illnesses.
“With winter conditions still lingering, it makes sense to extend the program so that people know when to protect themselves and how they can help keep the air clean,” said Division of Air Quality Director Rick Sprott. “When it comes to public health, it’s better to be cautious and protective,” he said.
Through March 14, residents are asked to adhere to the wood-burn control program and follow any health advisories that may be issued.
As a reminder, wood-burn conditions are identified as “red, yellow, and green.” A “red” condition indicates burning is prohibited, “yellow” means a voluntary no burn, and “green” means burning is allowed.
Residents are asked to drive as little as possible during “red” and “yellow” days because cars contribute significantly to the area’s air pollution. More information on actions residents can take to reduce pollution is available on the “Clean Air Utah” web site at www.cleanair.utah.gov.
The “Red Light – Green Light” program reduces particulate air pollution (PM10 and PM2.5) and carbon monoxide. PM10 particles are 10 microns or less in diameter, approximately 1/10 of the diameter of human hair. PM2.5 are particles smaller than PM10.
Pollution conditions are monitored by DEQ’s Division of Air Quality and announced daily by newspapers, television and radio stations. Recorded updates can be obtained from the Air Pollution Index Hotline at 975 4009 for Salt Lake and Davis counties and (800) 228 5434 elsewhere, and on the “Clean Air Utah” web site at www.cleanair.utah.gov.
Cache County residents may call (435) 792-6612 for recorded daily updates on the wood- burn conditions in their area, or visit the Bear River Health Department’s Web site at www.brhd.org (opens in a new window).
You are here: Home >