Spare The Air Alert Issued For Christmas Day

There's no Christmas gift this year for people who want to use their fireplace.

A Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued for Wednesday.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District made the announcement on
Tuesday afternoon, saying a high pressure system hovering over the region is trapping pollutants close the ground and causing unhealthy air.

It's the third straight day a Spare the Air alert has been called. It's the 18th one this winter season.

Please respect everyone’s health this holiday by observing the Winter Spare the Air Alert and not burning wood in your fireplace,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district. “We don’t want anyone to spend their holiday in the emergency room because they are unable to breathe. In the spirit of giving, please give the gift of clean air and do not burn in your wood stove or fireplace.”

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.

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.