Air Quality Information
Summer Air Quality Monitoring
During the summer months, generally May through October, the region can occasionally experience wildfire smoke impacts from active wildfires throughout the State. The Town of Mammoth Lakes in coordination with the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPCD) continually monitors air quality in Mammoth Lakes and the GBUAPCD and Mono County Health Department will issue Health Advisories when air quality has reached unhealthy levels.
Current Air Quality Conditions
- Smoke Impacts: You may check current smoke impacts from active fires that are affecting the air quality in the region by visiting the GBUAPCD Smoke Impacts website.
- Air Quality Monitoring Website: You may check particulate emission (PM-10 and PM-2.5) levels for the entire region on the GBUAPCD's monitoring station website (Clicking on a specific site will give you more detailed air quality information).
- Air Quality Phone Line: You can call (760) 965-3640. The recording is updated as needed to transmit air quality information to the public.
Additional Information
For additional information on Mammoth Lakes' air quality, please contact Nolan Bobroff, Senior Planner at (760) 965-3631.
Winter Air Quality Monitoring
The Town of Mammoth Lakes in coordination with the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPCD) continually monitors air quality in Mammoth Lakes. Data is obtained via a monitoring station operated by the GBUAPCD. During the winter season, generally November 15th through March 15th, the Town will announce "no wood burning" days when air quality is forecast to approach unhealthy levels.
Burn Hot, Clean Fires to Keep our Air Clean
When Mammoth Lakes experiences periods of clear, cold, and calm weather, the air quality deteriorates.
To keep the air as clean as possible, please do your part by following these simple steps:
- Only burn clean and hot fires
- Check your chimney periodically for emissions (if smoke is clearly visible, your fire needs more air, the wood is not dry enough, or the wood is not split small enough)
- Call (760) 965-3640 or sign up for notifications through the Town's Notify Me feature at /list.aspx to see if there are any wood burning restrictions
- Abide by the "no wood burning" restrictions
Please click here for Wood Burning Do's and Don'ts
Current Air Quality Conditions
- Air Quality Monitoring Website: You may check particulate emission (PM-10) levels for the entire region on the GBUAPCD's monitoring station website (Clicking on a specific site will give you more detailed air quality information).
- Air Quality Phone Line: You can call (760) 965-3640. The recording is updated as needed to transmit air quality information to the public.
Additional Information
For additional information on Mammoth Lakes' air quality, please contact Nolan Bobroff, Senior Planner at (760) 965-3631.
The Town of Mammoth Lakes in coordination with the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPCD) continually monitors air quality in Mammoth Lakes.
- Annual reports that summarize air quality issues for the previous year are provided by the GBUAPCD in the spring of each year; and
- Triennial progress reports (required by the 2014 Air Quality Management Plan) that provide a progress report on PM-10 air quality trends for the Town are completed every 3 years (the first report was published in 2017). This report is sent to the EPA for verification that the Town remains in attainment for the PM-10 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (Federal Standard).
- Town of Mammoth Lakes Air Quality Maintenance Plan
Particulate Emissions Regulations (Woodstove Ordinance) - Municipal Code Chapter 8.30
The Town's Particulate Emissions Regulations (Municipal Code Chapter 8.30) was revised on May 7, 2014 by Town Council.
Particulate Emissions Regulations (Municipal Code Chapter 8.30)
Woodstove Replacement Programs
Almost 200 woodstoves have been replaced in Mammoth Lakes with funding through the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District from 2012-2015.
2023 Woodstove Replacement Program
Voucher applications are currently being accepted for 2023 Woodstove Replacement Program.
Woodstove Replacement Program - Environmental Public Benefit (EPB) Funds
On August 6, 2014, the Town Council accepted $274,963 from the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District for woodstove replacements. The Program is now closed. 145 woodstoves were replaced with cleaner burning systems under this Program.
EPB Woodstove Replacement Program Final Report 6/30/15
- Woodstove Replacement Program Closed - 4/23/15
- Woodstove Replacement Program Press Release - 3/24/15 [Program now available to noncompliant properties]
- Woodstove Replacement Program Press Release - 2/1/15
- Woodstove Replacement Program Press Release - 9/29/14
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to tell if you have an EPA certified woodstove
Previous Woodstove Replacement Program (Clean Air Projects Program)
Under the Town of Mammoth Lakes' CAPP program, 21 woodstoves were replaced with more efficient and cleaner heating systems. An additional 28 woodstove replacements were completed in Mammoth Lakes through the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District's CAPP program. These funds have been expended, and the CAPP programs are closed.
Air Quality Management Plan Update
On November 6, 2013, the Town Council adopted an updated Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) or Air Quality Maintenance Plan and PM-10 Redesignation Request. This was subsequently approved by the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District on May 5, 2014. An update to Municipal Code Chapter 8.30, Particulate Emissions Regulations, was also included in this effort. This work was funded by a grant from the Clean Air Projects Program (CAPP).
- Press Release - EPA Approves the Re-Designation Request and the Air Quality Management Plan (Effective 11-4-2015)
- Final Air Quality Maintenance Plan and PM-10 Redesignation Request
- Ordinance 13-09 - Updated Particulate Emissions Regulations
(Municipal Code Chapter 8.30) (see above for updated version)
November 6, 2013 Town Council Public Hearing
The Town Council held a public hearing on November 6, 2013 starting at 6pm to consider adoption of the AQMP Update (Air Quality Maintenance Plan and PM-10 Redesignation Request for Mammoth Lakes) and the revisions to Municipal Code 8.30, Particulate Emissions Regulations.
Town Council Ordinance (draft)
Final Draft AQMP (Air Quality Maintenance Plan and PM-10 Redesignation Request for Mammoth Lakes)
- Appendix A - Glossary
- Appendix B - Residential Wood Burning Survey 2013 Summary
- Appendix C - Municipal Code 8.30 (Revised)
- Appendix D - VMT Estimates for Days of Air Quality Monitoring 2003-2011
- Appendix E - VMT Analysis 2012
- Appendix F - VMT Analysis - Comparison with 1990 Study
- Appendix G - Chemical Analysis of PM10 and PM2.5 Filters
Strikethrough Version of Municipal Code Chapter 8.30
September 11, 2013 Workshop
A public workshop was held to review the draft AQMP at the September 11th Planning and Economic Development Commission meeting. The meeting starts at 2pm in Suite Z/Town Council Chambers. If you cannot attend the meeting, please feel free to provide written comments to Jen Daugherty.