Blaze chars Simi brush.

Officials issued a smoke advisory, cautioning residents that the air following a brush fire could be unhealthy.

[News Source]

One thing’s clear: uncertified woodstoves are a major culprit. In an effort to meet federal air quality standards, local Department of Environmental Quality officials have been working with city councils and Jackson County commissioners in placing restrictions on use of non-certified woodstoves, a major culprit of poor air quality in the Rogue Valley. [News Source]

Residents list road concerns. Traffic problems and potential pollution are topping the list of citizen questions surrounding the proposed 22-mile, $1.7 billion South Mountain Freeway in Ahwatukee Foothills, Arizona. [News Source]

Weather: Air gunk lingers, should lift today. After a false start or two, the gunk should really start clearing out today. [News Source]

Would beltway pollute valleys? A study commissioned by a citizens group opposed to the proposed Knoxville Parkway in Tennessee contends that vehicular pollution will settle in the valleys, exposing children to increased risks of cancers and asthma. [News Source]

New rule final: Pa. vehicles will be cleaner burning. New cars in Pennsylvania will be cleaner burning next year, now that a regulation pressed by Gov. Ed Rendell passed a final legal review Friday by the Attorney General's Office. [News Source]

New rule final: Pa. vehicles will be cleaner burning. New cars in Pennsylvania will be cleaner burning next year, now that a regulation pressed by Gov. Ed Rendell passed a final legal review Friday by the Attorney General's Office. [News Source]

State’s employers targeted in latest emissions effort. A new program aims to reduce automobile emissions and improve air quality in the tri-state area by encouraging Connecticut employers to participate. [News Source]

Outdoor wood boilers raising pollution concerns. It comes from a backyard wood-burning boiler that has pitted neighbor against neighbor and forced Millinocket into the limelight of an emerging environmental issue. [News Source]

US mulls removing lead from list of pollutants. US environmental regulators are considering removing lead, a heavy metal linked to learning problems in children, from a list of regulated pollutants because past rules have greatly reduced levels of the toxin. [News Source]

New Senate chair to probe EPA air policy. The Senate's incoming environmental committee chairwoman on Friday criticized a new EPA policy that reduces the role of scientists in setting air pollution standards. [News Source]