Knowing When It's Safe To Burn This Winter Season

Green is a good color in the Truckee Meadows. It can be a sign of recent rain or, during the winter season, a sign of clean air. 

"Because of programs like the the wood stove program and the burn code we've increased our air quality tremendously," said Daniel Inouye of the Air Quality Management Division. 

Since starting the Know the Code Program our Carbon Monoxide levels are much lower. During the winter, burning can account for up to half of our air pollution in the Truckee Meadows, which can be harmful to our lungs and heart. From green, to yellow, and red, the Air Quality Division works closely with the National Weather Service to put out the code each day. 

"It's based on our air quality data and also weather has a big factor with it," said Inouye. 

Each winter season is different. Last year was a good snow season for us which also helped our air quality. We had more green days than yellow or red. 

"When the air pollution levels start to build then we'll start to get into the yellow and red conditions as well," said Inouye. 

Yellow is cautionary and means burning is discouraged. On red burn code days, the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups and no burning is allowed. During this time the air is very stagnant. Readings are usually worse in Sparks due to their terrain. 

"Not only are people burning but also the inversion is such that it is trapping those pollutants here in the valley," said Inouye. 

We usually see the most yellow and red days after Thanksgiving. We need a variety of storms to come through like last year to keep our air clean. If we get more snow this year, we'll be able to breath a little bit easier. 

Updates to the burn code will come out by 3 pm each day and you can find the code online at www.OurCleanAir.com. The KTVN weather team will also show the burn code during each of our newscasts.