The City has announced that it will lift its temporary leaf blower ban on Thursday, January 11, 2018, effective 8 a.m. The leaf blower ban was initially put into effect on December 11, 2017, when the City announced that leaf blowers had been temporarily prohibited as a result of the Thomas Fire, due to poor air quality and the risk of spreading more ash, smoke and particulates into the air. The City’s air quality has improved and is approaching normal levels, and the recent rains should help mitigate the ash issue. Electric leaf blowers may be operated in residential zones between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but are prohibited on Sundays and legal holidays. Gas leaf blowers remain prohibited in residential zones.