The Salt Lake Valley produces serious pollution issues each winter. Sinking cold air layers trap smoke, vehicle emissions, and industrial emissions, leaving the built-up pollution to stink up the valley for weeks. Because of temperature inversions, using fireplaces in Salt Lake City homes during the cold winter months poses many challenges.
How is a No-Burn Day Triggered?
The Utah Department of Air Quality (UDAQ) has distributed sensors across the valley to measure PM2.5. When projections indicate that fine particulate pollution will cause unhealthy air, a mandatory action day is declared. Infrared cameras that detect heat plumes are used to monitor compliance, and violators face fines of up to $150.
There are three levels of restriction for wood burning:
- Level 1: All forms of solid fuel burning are allowed
- Level 2: Residents are encouraged not to burn
- Level 3: All forms of wood burning are prohibited
Restrictions of all three levels do not apply to natural gas and propane appliances.
How Utahns Are Changing the Way They Heat Their Homes
Restrictions on burning solid fuels have led many Utahns to change how they heat their homes. One of the main changes has been converting wood-burning fireplaces to natural gas fireplace inserts, which provide year-round heat and comfort. Mini-split heat pumps and electric heating systems are other options that are quickly replacing wood-burning heating systems.
The state of Utah takes this issue so seriously that the Wood Stove and Fireplace Conversion Assistance Program used to provide grants of up to $4,300 to help households transition away from wood stoves. To provide some context, the EPA claims that one old and inefficient wood stove emits the same amount of PM2.5 as eight diesel school buses.
Prepare Before Inversion Season
For homeowners with wood-burning fireplaces in Salt Lake City, it’s a good idea to check your wood-burning setup before the inversion season begins in November. Gas and electric inserts offer a safe, viable option for heating your home.
For the most up-to-date information on burn status in your county, either visit air.utah.gov or download the UtahAir app. You can find county alerts in real time.