“The sky was dark and gloomy, the air was damp and raw, the streets were wet and sloppy. The smoke hung sluggishly above the chimney-tops as if it lacked the courage to rise, and the rain came slowly and doggedly down, as if it had not even the spirit to pour.”~ Charles Dickens

Inclement winter weather is felt throughout the chapters of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” A warm fire is the gathering place for family and friends, and for humbugs and gentlefolk alike. The source of heat may be a trash can set ablaze or a stone fireplace with a roaring fire. Of the latter, an iron cooking pot may be suspended over the fire, as Christmas stockings hang from its mantle. “A Christmas Carol” was first published in 1843; many of its literary images ring true today. But one of these has disappeared from our skyline. On these chilly days, where is the smoke which is ordinarily seen coming from rooftop chimneys? For now, it is unlawful to have a fire in your fireplace.

I don’t recall there being “no burn days” in past years. Apparently in the winter of 2010-11 the Southern California Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) enacted a basin-wide no burn alert program. On designated days it became illegal to use fireplaces and wood burning stoves. Exceptions are:

Households above an elevation of 3,000 feet

Wood-burning devices that are a household’s sole source of heat

Sadly, the Norman Rockwell scene of a cozy fire in the hearth is not a healthy one. Many factors came into play prompting these regulations and law. Research links fireplace smoke with heart attack and lung disease. Burning wood emits high levels of PM 2.5 (particulate matter/size) emissions; exacerbating the problem are the drought and winter weather conditions.

Dig out that umbrella…fast! The NWS meteorologists out of the Los Angeles/Oxnard office are excited as am I. Late Thursday night a Pacific storm system will bring widespread rain and gusty winds into our area. With a high moisture content, a warm air mass and good orographic lift, the storm, according to the NWS, should be “a very efficient rainfall producer.” The foothills are slated to receive 2.25 inches of rain in a 24-hour time period. Dry, windy and warmer temperatures will move us into next week. Ideal weather to dry out and ready your umbrella for next time!

Sue Kilpatrick is a
Crescenta Valley resident and
Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.