A Winter Spare the Air Alert has been issued for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27. Wood burning is banned for the full 24-hours. This now makes it the 4th of the season.
Air quality in the Bay Area is forecast to be unhealthy. It is illegal for Bay Area residents to burn wood or other solid fuels in fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts, pellet stoves, outdoor fire-pits, or other wood-burning devices.
This wood-burning ban will be in effect for Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, southern Sonoma and southwestern Solano Counties.
Winter air pollution is mainly caused by particulates or soot pollution from wood smoke. Smoke from wood-burning fires is linked to illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and lung disease, and is especially harmful for children and the elderly.
If one is caught in violation of a Spare the Air alert, they could face a $100 fine. A second offense is a $500 fine with additional fines thereafter could be higher.
Winter Spare the Air season runs from November 1 through February 28. The daily burn status can be found at www.baaqmd.gov, at www.sparetheair.org or by calling the air district’s hotline at (877)-4-NO-BURN.
For more information about the Wood Burning Rule, or to check before you burn, visit www.sparetheair.org or call 1-877-4NO-BURN. You can also call 1-800-430-1515 and register to receive automatic phone calls when a Winter Spare the Air Alert has been called.
A couple FAQs (Full list, click here)
How does the Air District know to call a Winter Spare the Air Alert?
The Air District meteorologists evaluate the levels of fine particulate air pollution and meteorological conditions in order to forecast which days will have unhealthy air quality (typically on cold, still, winter days with stagnant air). On these days, a Winter Spare the Air Alert is called to protect public health of Bay Area residents.
Can I barbeque during a Winter Spare the Air Alert?
Barbequing during a Winter Spare the Air Alert is not prohibited. However, the Air District asks all Bay Area residents to voluntarily reduce air pollution by making clean air choices every day. Reducing or postponing activities that pollute, including barbequing, when the air quality is forecast to be unhealthy, is one way to help reduce fine particulate emissions and improve air quality.
What if there is a power outage? Can I use my fireplace or wood stove then?
Yes. The regulation allows for a limited exemption from the requirement of complying with a Winter Spare the Air Alert if there is a temporary power outage.
Is there an exemption for residents who have no natural gas service in the area and only have propane fuel?
The exemption does not apply when there is any type of permanently installed heating device in a residence or business. Therefore, if you are in an area that does not have natural gas service, but you have a permanently-installed heater (for instance, a propane heater), then you are not exempt from the burn ban.
What if burning wood is my only source of heat?
The Air District realizes that some residents may not have another form of heat. The Air District developed an Exemption Guidance document to help assist you regarding this situation.
