No burn alert issued for Wednesday across parts of Inland Empire

RIVERSIDE - A "no-burn" alert will affect parts of Riverside County, prohibiting the use of fireplaces from midnight tonight until midnight Wednesday.

The order by the South Coast Air Quality Management District was issued because of poor air quality across the region.

Fine particles in wood smoke can penetrate deep into lungs, causing respiratory problems for at-risk populations, SCAQMD officials said.

The alert does not apply to mountain communities over 3,000 feet in elevation, the Coachella Valley, or homes for which fireplaces are the only source of heat....