Air quality authorities today lifted a burning ban imposed last week due to a stubborn cold-air inversion.
Warmer air and winds arrived over the weekend, clearing out a brown haze of fine particulate matter that had accumulated around the area like Southern California smog. The Southwest Clean Air Agency on Thursday prohibited the use of all fireplaces, pellet stoves wood stoves and inserts, except for people who did not have an alternate source of heat.
Agency inspectors, who typically respond to complaints, issued no citations.
Fine particulate matter released in smoke can reach deep into the lungs, triggering asthma attacks, and breathing difficulties and worsening lung and heart problems.
