Politics & Government

Winter Spare The Air Alert Issued For Saturday

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

Make it six days in a row.

Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued for Saturday.

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

It's the sixth straight day a Spare the Air alert has been called. It's the 21st one this winter season. Only 10 alerts were issued during the entire winter season last year.

“Air quality continues to be a polluted and unhealthy for the Bay Area residents. A high pressure system over the region has not allowed fine particulate pollution to move out of the region,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district. “We are asking for the public’s continued cooperation to protect the health of Bay Area residents and reduce pollution from wood burning.”

The Saturday 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.


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