First Winter Spare the Air Alert Issued for Wednesday

The first Winter Spare the Air Alert is in effect today. Air quality in the Tri-Valley and greater Bay Area is expected to be unhealthy as a result of pollution from wood burning.

The Bay Air Quality Management District bans wood burning on days when pollution levels are expected to be unhealthy and issues Winter Spare the Air Alerts.

On these days, it is illegal for residents to burn wood or other solid fuels in fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts, pellet stoves, outdoor fire-pits, or other wood-burning devices.

Anyone who is caught burning such fuels during a Winter Spare the Air Alert will receive a warning for the first violation. A second violation is subject to a fine. The fine amount will increase with any additional violations, depending on the severity, according to the air district.

For more information about the spare the air alerts, click here.