Burning leaves

I remember growing up in Southern California, many many years ago, we had an incinerator in the back yard, as did everybody in the neighborhood. I think it "went away" in the sixties. 8 think it became illegal to use.
Pretty sure your *** will get arrested for burning anything outside now here.

Out of curiosity, does the air seem cleaner today to you? I've heard stories from older relatives from Southern CA about not being able to see mountains 5-10 miles away back in the 60's and early 70's.