Recap on the District Events in 2022

November 1, 2022

This year the NSAQMD was able to host its annual Burn Wise event at the Veteran’s Hall, at times known as the Wood Stove Work Shop event. Here we discussed the Greater Portola Woodstove Change-out program. The event took place September 24, 2022 midafternoon at the Veteran’s Hall here in Portola, CA. Joining the Air District were businesses, Quincy Hot Spot, Wolf Creek Wood Stoves, and Heat Transfer Systems. Don and Wendy of Quincy Hot Spot were out front on the pellet grill cooking up some hotdogs for participants to enjoy. Inside, we had a host of representatives from local organizations such as Plumas County Fire Safe Council, Portola Fire Wise, City Council members Bill Powers and Phil Oels, and Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association representative from Sacramento, John Crouch. The District also had local face painter Abby Birnbryer present, representation from Beckwourth Fire Department.

People seated in a hall with one person standing at the front, possibly in a meeting or class. — John Crouch of Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) giving a speech on the importanct of burning seasoned wood.

Our goal behind events like this one, is to bring the community together to discuss the importance of safety in our community, starting with cleaning up the air we breath by reducing PM2.5 concentrations in our airshed. You can find more information about what you can do to reduce PM2.5 emissions in our area by visiting the US EPA Burn Wise page here. There is a lot we can accomplish locally to achieve good air quality. With available grant funds, Zone 1 and 2 residents have access to chimney sweep vouchers, one cord woodsheds, and a wood stove change out program that is applicable to anyone with a woodstove 20 years or older. Old woodstoves can be changed out for kerosene monitors, propane heaters, electric mini split heat pumps, wood stoves, and pellet stoves.

We’d love to encourage anyone to apply. Call the district to learn more about the programs and we will see what we can do to help reduce emissions.

An information booth with a table, pamphlets, and a sign about air quality and wildfire under a canopy tent. — NSAQMD’s table at Gary Romano’s Friday Farmers Market getting Grant information out to local residents

Additionally, the District participated in Gary Romano’s Friday Farmers Market over the course of the summer. This served as a great way to connect with local residents and answer questions about the Targeted Airshed Grants, their purpose, and qualifying factors to receive a change-out. What we really enjoyed about this event was the recognition that “my neighbor would benefit from this” or “my daughter has a very old woodstove, I will share this with her”. By extending information we were able to help several individuals this summer. We look forward to attending and hosting more events in 2023!

-Your NSAQMD crew

Website Accessibility Statement

Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (the "District") is committed to ensuring that its services are accessible to all members of the public. As part of this commitment, the District strives to provide an accessible website compatible with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, AA, and commercial screen reading software. Features of the website are created to allow individuals with vision and other impairments to understand and use the website to the same degree as someone without disabilities.

If you need any special assistance or accommodations:

Contact our compliance support team via telephone at: (888) 765-1970

Ongoing Compliance Information

Compliance Coordinator

The District has designated a Compliance Coordinator for website disability-related accommodations. The Compliance Coordinator has received training in website accessibility and updates the site in accordance with those best practices and requirements.

Compliance Procedures

The District is working to ensure all website content complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and controlling State laws. In an ongoing effort to continually improve and remediate accessibility issues, the website is regularly scanned to ensure ongoing compliance, and timely changes are made to any inaccessible content if found.

Accessible Documents Policy

The District is committed to providing all documents hosted on the website in an accessible format or making accessible alternatives available.

Linked Documents and Third Parties

Please note that this site may link out to third-party websites that do not have accessible content. This site may also include documents provided by third parties. While we cannot control the accessibility of content provided by third parties, we are happy to assist any member of the public with reading and accessing content on our site.

Report a Website Accessibility Issue

We are committed to your ability to access all content, and we will respond to all requests in a timely manner. If you need assistance or accommodations while accessing content on this website, please contact our Compliance Coordinator via the form below: