11th Winter Spare The Air Alert Called

by Dave Mills

Keep your heater turned on.

Another Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued, this one for Wednesday.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon, saying the prolonged cold weather is trapping pollutants close the ground and causing unhealthy air.

It will be a record 11th day in a row that an alert has been in effect.

“Because of this prolonged dry and still weather pattern, air quality continues to be unhealthy throughout the Bay Area,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district. “Under these conditions, just like cigarette smoke in a crowded room, fireplaces can impact the entire region.”

Air quality officials said there is a chance air quality will improve on Thursday as onshore winds move in.

The 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.

It's the 15th Spare the Air alert ordered this winter.