March 1, 2022. Reno/Sparks, NV – The Washoe County Health District – Air Quality Management Division (AQMD) announced that the annual Keep It Clean – Know the Code program ended on February 28 and no restrictions were announced for residents who have fireplaces or wood/pellet stoves.
The Know the Code burn code season is designed to inform residents whether it’s OK to use approved wood-burning devices for the day. This is done to keep our air pollution levels within the Environmental Protection Agency’s health standard. If there are significant fine particulates in the air (PM2.5), AQMD will issue a Red Burn Code which means no one can use a word-burning device in Washoe County unless it is a primary source of heat for the residence, among other exceptions.
For the 2021/22 burn code season, which ran from Nov. 1, 2021-Feb. 28, 2022, AQMD notified Washoe County residents of one Yellow Burn Code (Burning Discouraged) and 119 Green Burn Codes (Burning Allowed). This season was similar to the previous four seasons because it did not include a Red Burn Code. The last Red Burn Code was issued on Dec. 29, 2017.
“We are pleased with the effectiveness of our burn code program and wood-burning device regulations and we want to thank residents for helping keep our air clean,” said Francisco Vega, Division Director of AQMD. “I would like to thank our staff for keeping residents informed when using wood-burning devices and all the work that goes into this successful program.”
The Know the Code program will resume on Nov. 1, 2022 at midnight. To remain informed of the daily air quality index and future Burn Codes, go to OurCleanAir.com, or sign up for our email alerts.
The Air Quality Management Division 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 and compliance, planning, and public education.
The Washoe County Health District 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 Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.