BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- New fireplace regulations that went into effect Nov. 1 mean before people light a log in their fireplace, residents will need to know if it's been declared a "no burn night."

Dale Karnes uses his wood burning fireplace solely to heat the room where he and his wife spend most of their time.

"We need the heat. It's not because our age or anything, this room is like a tomb in the wintertime. It's cold," Karnes said.

However, if they use their fireplace for heat on a "no burn night," they could face a fine because it's not their sole heating source.

"It is hooked onto the main heat, but it's so far away. I mean it's probably a good 40 feet from that exchange to the unit," Karnes said.

The No. 1 question being asked about the "no burn nights" is who is exempt from the no burn rules.

One point the San Joaquin Valley Air District wants people to know is that pellets and manufactured fire logs are not exempt from the rules.

"If wood burning is your soul source of heat and you don't have another heating device built into the home then you are exempt. We are going to allow questions about that because people aren't sure if they qualify or not," said Kelly Malay of the San Joaquin Valley Air District.

Malay said there is no "permit" application -- residents will either be exempt, or not.

"The best answer is call us and we'll talk about it and find out because there are some gray areas that we need to know all the details about," Malay said.

The Air District will enforce the no burn nights with both random patrols and through complaints that are called in.

"If you are caught violating the rule the fine can be between $50 and $1,000. The $1,000 case would obviously be someone who has violated the rule repeatedly," Malay said.

The "no burn nights" do not apply to residents with natural gas or propane fireplaces.

Call (800) SMOG-INFO for the daily no burn status and if you have any questions about the no burn rules, call the Air District at 326-6900.