Residential wood burning is one of the largest sources of wintertime particulate matter pollution in the San Joaquin Valley. During stagnant periods particulate matter can build up in the Valley to reach unhealthy concentrations.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District asks all Valley residents to use alternatives to burning wood unless they have no other source of heat and provides significant incentives to aid in this effort through the Burn Cleaner Program.

Burn Cleaner offers Valley residents up to $3,000 to upgrade from a fireplace, wood insert/stove or pellet stove to a natural gas device.

Residents in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Kings and Tulare counties who live in homes with access to natural gas can get $1,500, and an additional $1,500 is available in those counties for qualifying low-income applicants.

In the “Hot Spot” counties of Madera, Fresno and Kern (which see a higher number of burning curtailments) residents are eligible for up to $3,000 regardless of income status.

Valley residents who live in homes without access to natural gas are eligible for incentives of $1,000 to upgrade from an open hearth fireplace or non-certified wood insert/stove to an EPA Certified wood or pellet-fueled device. Qualifying low-income residents in these areas are also eligible for an additional $1,500 incentive, totaling up to $2,500.

For complete information on the Burn Cleaner Program, visit: valleyair.org/burncleaner.