Most of us in Plumas County probably think of our local air quality management district only when we’ve got piles of pine needles or brush to burn. Is it OK to burn today? And do we need a permit to burn at all?
The answer to the second question is yes: Burn permits have been required by CalFire since May 1. Depending on the type of burn, you may need a permit from the air district as well. The Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District provides this kind of information to the public, but there is much more to its mission and responsibilities than we might think.
The local Northern Sierra District covers Plumas, Sierra and Nevada counties. Their eight employees work from two offices, with four based in Grass Valley and three employees in Portola. Air Quality Control Officer and Executive Director Julie Hunter divides her time between the two offices.
The district handles five broad categories of tasks: monitoring, planning, permitting, complaints and enforcement. Air quality monitoring is accomplished through five sites, three in Plumas County and two in Nevada County, where equipment sniffs the air for particulate matter and ozone. The data goes to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, among other authorities.
Additionally, the district produces state implementation plans. These describe what steps it is taking to meet current federal and state air quality regulations, including EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
The district’s permitting responsibilities include just about every possible source of air pollution — smoke from burn piles, of course, but also emissions from asphalt and concrete plants, sanitation facilities, mortuaries, gas stations and portable engines, among many others. The district issues permits, inspects the emission sources to ensure compliance, and responds to complaints regarding smoke, odors or other potential violations.
What are they looking for during a smoke complaint?
Monitoring focuses on two categories of particulate matter in the air: PM 10, particles up to 10 µm (micrometers or microns) in diameter, such as dust and pollen; and PM 2.5, up to 2.5 µm in size. Think of the latter category as particles around 1/30 of the diameter of a human hair! These are combustion breakdown products that can pose significant health risks. They are small enough to enter the bloodstream when inhaled. Their effects can be more serious for the elderly, and for infants and young children, whose lungs are still developing.
Burn day and burn permit information is available on the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District’s website. Many other resources are also posted on the website. Burn day information is also available by calling 530-274-7928.