The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has issued its first fireplace and wood-stove use prohibition of the 2012 Check Before You Burn season.

People who live in Kings, Tulare and the Valley portion of Kern counties are not allowed to use their fireplace or other wood-burning devices all day Tuesday, November 6.

The ban has been issued because of poor air quality.

Check Before You Burn runs each winter from November through February and reduces wintertime particulate pollution by restricting the use of wood-burning devices when air quality is poor, according to the Valley Air District.

Wood-burning forecasts are issued each day by county.

There are two exceptions to wood-burning prohibitions:

-- If the residence does not have access to natural gas service, even if propane is used; or

People in the Valley have stepped up to help those who have seen their lives and property devastated by Superstorm Sandy.

On Friday morning, our viewers came by the KMPH studios to drop off donations to the Salvation Army.

There was a steady stream of cars all morning. A man and his dog even dropped by to help.

Thanks to generosity in our Valley, we raised $4,992.00

We want to thank everyone who gave to our drive to help the survivors of Superstorm Sandy.

If you still want to give, you can mail your donation to the local Salvation Army. The address is: 1854 Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93721.

You can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) to make a donation by phone, or you can text the word "STORM" to the number 80888 to make a $10 donation using your mobile phone.