Burn ban in effect for much of Southern California due to poor air quality

Much of Southern California has been placed under a wood-burning ban due to poor air quality lingering over the area. 

The ban went into effect on Wednesday and will last through at least 11:59 p.m. Thursday evening, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. 

All people living in Orange County and the South Coast Air Basin, including non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties will be affected by the no-burn order.

However, the order is not in effect for people living in mountain communities higher than 3,000-feet elevation, the Coachella Valley and the high desert. Homeowners that rely on wood as their lone source of heat, low-income households and people who do not have natural gas service are exempt. 

Burning wood both indoors and outdoors is prohibited, as is burning manufactured fire logs. 

SCAQMD officials say that fine particles in wood smoke, also known as PM2.5 or particulate matter, can make its way into people's lungs and cause respiratory issues.