Community Corner
Keep the Home Fires Un-Burning – 4th Spare the Air Day in a Row
The Bay Area's cold weather continues to trap air pollutants close to the ground, prompting air quality officials to declare Wednesday another Spare the Air Day, meaning no fires from wood or other materials that cause smoke.
By David Mills
Keep that fireplace cold, at least for now.
Another Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued for Wednesday.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon, saying the prolonged cold weather is trapping pollutants close the ground and causing unhealthy air.
It will be the fourth day in a row that an alert has been in effect.
The Wednesday alert prohibits Bay Area residents from burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel both indoors and outdoors for 24 hours. Those with no other source of heat are exempt.
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.
It's the eighth Spare the Air alert ordered this winter.
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