Don't Light Tonight is a program of the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District. It is a voluntary program active between November 1 and February 28 each winter in which residents are asked to not burn wood on days on which higher levels of fine particulate pollution are forecast. Several weather conditions, including a lack of wind and dry spells, can cause air pollution to be trapped where we breathe, causing higher concentrations of fine particulates. Particulate pollution is associated with health impacts. Children and the elderly are especially sensitive to air pollution.
In 2012-13, the City of Davis ran a pilot program making compliance on low air quality days mandatory with some exceptions. It used the same standard as the Yolo-Solano AQMD's voluntary program (25 micrograms per cubic meter).
During the season, there are five ways residents can find out if a Don't Light Tonight advisory is in effect:
- Phone: The daily status will be available at 530-757-3787.
- Email: Subscribers to Yolo-Solano AQMD's EnviroFlash service will get email alerts when an advisory has been called.
- Website: If an advisory has been called, a banner will appear on Yolo-Solano AQMD’s website.
- Facebook: By "liking" Yolo-Solano AQMD on Facebook, residents will be alerted if an advisory is called.
- Newspaper: The Davis Enterprise will publicize no-burn days with notices on Page A2 of the paper.
