Local residents need to be aware of seasonal changes starting Saturday for outdoor watering and fireplace burning.

That is the day Fresno switches to a once-a-week watering schedule that remains in effect through March.

Residents with addresses ending in odd numbers (1,3,5,7,9) can water on Saturdays. Residents with addresses ending in even numbers (0,2,4,6,8) can water on Sundays.

Outdoor water use is not allowed on weekdays or on any day between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For residents using timers for their sprinklers, now is a good time to reset them.

For water conservation tips and tutorials for reprogramming common irrigation timers, click here.

Residents can call 3-1-1 if they have questions or need assistance.

Residential Wood Burning Restrictions Start

To protect public health and improve winter air quality, the Valley Air District urges residents to avoid wood burning and use cleaner heating alternatives whenever possible starting Saturday.

The Residential Wood Smoke Reduction program is November through February every year. The goal is protecting public health by reducing harmful particulate matter. During this period, the air district  releases a daily wood-burning status for each county.

“Public health is at the heart of our mission,” said Jaime Holt, the air district’s chief communications officer. “Every resident can make a real difference this winter by simply choosing not to burn wood. Limiting the use of fireplaces, woodstoves, and outdoor fire pits is one of the most effective ways to improve neighborhood air quality and protect community health.”

Daily burn information is available at valleyair.org/burnstatus, by calling 1-800-SMOG INFO (1-800-766-4463), or by downloading the free “Valley Air” app. In addition, residents are invited to sign up for daily wood-burning email notifications.

Restrictions don’t apply to devices that burn natural gas, and those can be used anytime. Homes without natural gas service, or homes that have no other option but to use wood as their primary source of heat, are exempt from the restrictions.

$5,000 Incentive to Replace Wood-Burning Stoves, Fireplaces

Valley residents are encouraged to take advantage of the Fireplace & Woodstove Change-Out Program and receive up to $5,000 toward replacing older, high-polluting wood stoves or open-hearth fireplaces with cleaner, more efficient electric heat pumps or natural gas inserts. To learn more or apply, visit valleyair.org/change-out.

Residents with EPA-Certified wood and pellet-fueled devices may register them with the Valley Air District for use only on “No Burning Unless Registered” days. Register by visiting: valleyair.org/deviceregistration.

The Valley Air District covers eight counties including San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and San Joaquin Valley air basin portions of Kern.