Winter Spare The Air Alert Ordered For Thursday

Keep the yule log in storage.

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

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

It's the fourth straight day a Spare the Air alert has been called. It's the 19th one this winter season.

“Air pollution continues to be trapped in the region causing unhealthy air for everyone,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district.  “It is important that we all observe the no burn requirement of the Winter Spare the Air Alert so that we don’t contribute further to the poor air quality conditions.”

The Thursday 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.