Spare the Air extended through Sunday

A third consecutive Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued for Sunday, Bay Area Air Quality Management District officials announced today.

No one is allowed to burn wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel anywhere throughout the Bay Area for the entire day, air district officials said.

Cold, calm weather in the region from a high-pressure weather system has resulted in poor air quality, according to district officials.

Jack Broadbent, air district executive officer, said in a statement:

“Unfortunately, we have not seen the change in weather conditions needed to improve air quality. We are asking the public’s continued cooperation in reducing harmful wood smoke pollution and helping to protect the health of all Bay Area residents.”

Residents and businesses are prohibited from using fireplaces, woodstoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or other wood-burning devices while the alert is in effect, air district officials said.

The Winter Spare the Air season started on Nov. 1 and ends on Feb. 28.

Anyone found in violation of the ban will first be required to take a wood smoke awareness class in lieu of paying a $100 ticket, air district officials said.

Those who violate the alert a second time will be fined $500 and subsequent violators will be ticketed higher amounts, according to air district officials.

More information on the district’s daily burn status can be found by visiting http://www.baaqmd.gov or http://www.sparetheair.org, by calling toll-free at (877) 4-NO-BURN or through the Spare the Air iPhone and Android apps.

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