Last week, the problem was too much wind. Now, there's not enough…and air quality officials say that's creating a breathing hazard.

"If you don't have any breeze blowing around there's no way to get the fine particulate matter, primarily from wood smoke, out of our breathing area."

Lori Kobza is with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District which has issued a Stage 2 Alert - banning all burning.

She says exposure to fine particulate matter has been linked to increased frequency and severity of respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis and lung disease.  

"It's so small it can get into the blood stream and that can affect your heart. So we also have concerns for those people out there who have cardiac conditions."

Air districts in the Bay Area and Washoe County are also prohibiting the burning of wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors.