Posted by Cholo, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Mar 5, 2012 at 8:29 am

This the first agency that needs to be gutted and retooled.

What a waste of our tax dollars!

Posted by Mr. Manners, a resident of the Mission Park neighborhood, on Mar 5, 2012 at 8:53 am

That's why people are leaving California. Too much govt intrusion and not enough wood smoke. Those people with asthma, bronchitus and lung disease are bringing the rest of us down to their level with so much govt'l regulation. California is bad, really really bad.

Do the agency clones get car-use allowances?

Posted by joanna, a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Mar 5, 2012 at 9:14 am

I agree with Cholo. BAAQMD permits big polluting industries, i.e. the Russell City Energy Center on the Hayward shoreline, which will be spewing out tons of particulate matter, then tells residents not to burn wood in their fireplaces in winter.

Posted by Melanie, a resident of the Kottinger Ranch neighborhood, on Mar 5, 2012 at 12:57 pm

What was with the ban on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day all about??? Ebenezer Scrooge is obviously running that agency!

There is a laundry list of more appropriate businesses to penalize than sending out fines to families enjoying an evening around the fireplace.

Posted by Arroyo, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Mar 6, 2012 at 8:23 am

Most times the winds are blowing on the days they pre-announce as "Spare The Air" days, and the restrictions are unnecessary. This agency is a total waste of money, with over 20 "Directors" on the Air Quality Board.