Politics & Government

Winter Spare The Air Alert Ordered For Friday

The air quality district issues the wood burning ban for the fourth straight day.

Now, it's three for three in 2014.

Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued for Friday.

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

It's the 26th alert so far this winter season. Only 10 alerts were issued during the entire winter season last year.

It's the fourth straight day an alert has been issued. A wood burning ban has been declared in 11 of the past 12 days.

“Unfortunately, weather conditions that allow smoke to build-up and cause public health impacts have not changed,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district. “Wood smoke pollution impacts us all, but it is particularly harmful to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions. Winter Spare the Air Alerts help protect public health on days when air quality threatens to be unhealthy.”

The Friday 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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