Politics & Government

Winter Spare the Air Alert Ordered For Sunday

It's the seventh straight day a wood burning ban has been put in place

And on the seventh day... there was no rest from the wood burning bans.

Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued for Sunday.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District made the announcement at midday Saturday, saying stagnant air in the region is trapping pollutants close the ground and causing unhealthy air.

It's the seventh straight day a Spare the Air alert has been called. It's the 22nd alert this winter season. Only 10 alerts were issued during the entire winter season last year.

“This prolonged dry weather pattern is allowing air pollution to reach unhealthy levels in the Bay Area,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district. “Wood burning in these conditions elevates the levels of particulate pollution in our neighborhoods and communities, making it unhealthy for everyone to breathe.”

The Sunday alert prohibits Bay Area residents from burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel both indoors and outdoors for 24 hours.

First-time violators of the ban are given the option of taking a wood smoke awareness class or paying a $100 fine. Second violations result in a $500 fine and the penalties rise with each violation after that.

The air quality district has 60 inspectors that follow up on complaints and issue citations.


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