Authorities Ban Wood Burning Again

A Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued for the Bay Area for Tuesday.

It's the third straight day that Bay Area Air Quality Management District officials have ordered the ban.

Air quality officials said the region's cold weather has allowed air pollution to rise to unhealthy levels.

The Tuesday 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 seventh Spare the Air alert ordered this winter.