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The first Spare the Air alert of the winter season has been issued for today by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

A cold weather pattern and lack of wind has allowed air pollution to rise to a level that is considered unhealthy, according to the BAAQMD.

The alert bans the burning of wood, manufactured fire logs or other solid fuel, both inside and outdoors, for 24 hours.

Homes without permanently installed heating systems are exempt.

Wood smoke, the largest source of winter air pollution in the Bay Area, contains particulates and carbon monoxide and can especially harm

children, the elderly or people with respiratory conditions.

Anyone who violates the burning ban will be given the option of taking a wood smoke awareness class or paying a $100 fine, according to the

BAAQMD.

Second-time violators will be fined $500.

People concerned about wood smoke pollution can call (877) 4NO-BURN or visit www.baaqmd.gov to file a complaint or get more information.

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2 Comments

  1. “a wood smoke awareness class”. No doubt this also costs money and takes place at one of the government’s ‘re-education centers’ in the central valley, where internments occurred during WW II.
    Anyone know where the money goes, for those poor folks who the govt thinks needs to the their mind’s right?

  2. So . . . Does BAAQMD drive around from neighborhood to neighborhood looking for smoke, or do they rely on neighbors of the Nanny State to turn each other in!!

  3. Citizen,
    If you are anywhere near me and are burning on a Spare the Air Day you can be guaranteed I will turn you in. Far too frequently the wood smoke is so damn thick it is quite difficult to breath, and there are more than a few people with lung diseases that are deeply affected by wood smoke. So, I’m more than happy to turn you, or any other intellectually-challenged individual (the PW deletes you post if one uses the word “dolt”), that burns on a Spare the Air Day.

  4. I purchased a wood burning insert for my fireplace six years ago, a Quadra Fire insert that burns very efficiently. The EPA allows 7 grams an hour emission. My insert emits 1.26 grams an hour. I could clean that up to zero emission with an after burner. There is no incentive for me to do so, the BAAQMD does not allow wood burning on spare the air days, no matter, how clean I can burn.
    The BAAQMD refuses to recognize these highly efficient wood burning inserts because they have a program in place to eventually ban wood burning entirely. They are totally ignoring the highest particulate release vessels, the gas and diesel burning motor vehicles that are produced by the millions every year.

  5. I’ve called the police on lots of friends and neighbors.

    The law is the law! If you don’t appreciate living in the United States of America, move to Argentina!

    or, back to where your ancestors came from…tee hee

    B U S T E D! HOORAY!

  6. It is a continuing source of embarrassment that Spare-the-Air days are needed.

    The vision of pigs wallowing in their own filth comes to mine every time one is announced.

    Mike

  7. Cholo,

    You are wasting your time calling the police. If you wish to report a wood burner on a spare the air day, call the BAAQMD. You will get results.

  8. Cholo, no doubt your neighbors love you and your red state allegiance. I wish you would move to Pleasanton near enough to my house to smell the smoke belching from my fireplace. You do know there’s not nearly enough of those overpaid BAAQMD lemings to cover the entire county, so call all you want. Unless you have proof and are willing to risk your life getting your neighbors fined, I suggest stay indoors, close your windows and hide like a good little govt minion.

  9. Right is losing control of his already out-of-control life. Now he’s resorting to veiled threats of violence. The guy is truly unstable. Today must’ve been a bad day for him, first having to stand in line for 2-1/2 hours, and then being told by Santa that union regulations prohibit all Santas from letting sputtering old coots sit on their lap.

  10. Forest-life is like a box of firewood. Don’t get near it with a lit match and you won’t get burned. If you have to resort to defending cholo, it is you who is truly unstable. Merry Christmas and enjoy lighting that Yule log..if your masters will let you.

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