Wood-smoke ban collaboration

City of Chico staff will have the assistance of the Butte County Air Quality Management District’s staff when it comes to crafting a ban on the use of residential fireplaces and antiquated wood stoves on days when pollution exceeds federal air-quality standards.

On Thursday (Jan. 28) at the board’s regular meeting, a majority of the panel gave the thumbs up to Chico’s request for aid in crafting both an ordinance and an agreement with BCAQMD to help enforce the ban.

The vote followed an update by board member and Chico City Councilman Scott Gruendl, who was a backer of a similar ordinance proposed by BCAQMD back in September. That measure failed because it didn’t receive the support of a majority of the 10-member board composed of city council members and county supervisors.

This time around, Oroville-area Supervisor Bill Connelly, Biggs Councilwoman Angela Thompson and Gridley Mayor Jerry Ann Fichter were the only dissenters.