Nov. 2, 2026. Reno/Sparks, Nev.– Daily burn code updates that help residents determine if they are allowed to use a wood-burning fireplace, stove or other device in Washoe County, are underway as Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) – Air Quality Management Division (AQMD) encourages people to “Keep It Clean – Know The Code.”
The daily Burn Code is in effect through Feb. 28, 2027, and aims to reduce harmful emissions during winter, when smoke can become trapped in inversion layers for extended periods. This is especially important for protecting people with respiratory or cardiovascular health conditions.
Residents can find Green (allowed), Yellow (discouraged) or Red (prohibited) burn code updates on our website OurCleanAir.com or by calling 775-785-4110.
Our website, phone message, and NNPH social media (X, Facebook, or Instagram) will be updated as weather and air quality conditions change.
Sign up for Washoe County Air Quality updates here.
“The Burn Code has been around for nearly 40 years and has led to better air quality outcomes in Washoe County,” District Health Officer Dr. Chad Kingsley said. “Our AQMD team puts in a lot of hard work to develop and maintain programs to improve air quality and we ask that residents pay close attention to these daily updates to protect our community members who are vulnerable to poor air quality conditions.”
Last year, the Burn Code was in place for 120 days and all 120 were green – AQMD did not issue any Yellow or Red Burn codes. The last Yellow Burn Code was issued Dec. 20, 2024, and the last Red was Dec. 29, 2017.
The Burn Code applies to residences in specific ZIP codes from Washoe Valley extending up to, and including, Silver Knolls, with a fireplace, wood stove, pellet stove or any other wood-burning device. Households where the wood-burning device is the only source of heat can receive an exemption through AQMD (call 775-784-7200 for more information).
Wood-burning in fireplaces and wood stoves during winter months accounts for about 40 percent of wintertime fine particulate matter in the Truckee Meadows. The harmful emissions can end up in lungs and pass into the blood stream causing both respiratory and cardiovascular health problems.
Long term exposure to wood smoke can lead to decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, premature death in people with heart or lung disease and increased susceptibility to heart and vascular disease for postmenopausal women.
AQMD implements clean air solutions that protect the quality of life for the citizens of Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through community partnerships along with programs and services such as air monitoring, permitting, compliance, planning, and public education. The AQMD is delegated authority to implement the Clean Air Act (CAA) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As part of the delegation, the AQMD must have regulations in place that demonstrate how the division plans to maintain the health based National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
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Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. NNPH consists of four public-facing divisions: Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services, and Population Health. More info can be found here.