Air quality district urges Bay Area to reduce pollution with first winter alert
San Mateo County, California – With the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) issuing its first Spare the Air Alert of the winter season, residents throughout the Bay Area are advised to take action to protect air quality. Under the district’s authority, the alert covering Sunday and Monday forbids the use of wood-burning devices both indoors and outdoors throughout the nine counties.
As a high-pressure system passes over Northern California, the alert results from what experts refer to as an “atmospheric lid” trapping pollutants near to the ground. Coupled with weak winds under 5 mph and low overnight temperatures in the 40s, this weather pattern is predicted to produce dangerous levels of smoke accumulating in homes. By bringing hazardous Central Valley air into the Bay Area, offshore breezes could aggravate the matter even further.
Especially under stationary settings when the pollution cannot evaporate, wood smoke includes harmful toxins that seriously affect health. This can be particularly harmful to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
What’s prohibited under the alert
During the alert, it is illegal to use:
- Fireplaces
- Wood stoves
- Pellet stoves
- Outdoor fire pits
- Any other wood-burning devices
Even the use of manufactured fire logs is banned. Additionally, burning garbage, mail, plastic, or other non-wood materials is strictly prohibited, as these can release even more harmful toxins into the air.
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There are several restricted exemptions: Provided it is registered with the BAAQMD, residents who depend on a wood-burning stove as their only source of heat are let to use it. Open fireplaces do not, however, fit this exception.
The notice covers all nine Bay Area counties—Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and portions of Solano and Sonoma counties. People living in these places are reminded to choose different heating sources and refrain from activities causing air pollution.
This signals the start of the winter Spare the Air season, during which time wood fire smoke becomes a major issue. The Air District stresses that acting early now will help to avoid a rise in air quality-related medical problems.
Residents can call (877) 4NO-BURN or visit the Air District’s website at www.baaqmd.gov to guarantee compliance by reporting violations. Alerts can be obtained by texting “START” to 817-57 for individuals seeking to remain current.
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Experts on air quality claim that wood smoke pollution can aggravate bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory conditions as well as cause long-term cardiovascular difficulties. People are advised to reduce outside activities during Spare the Air days, especially in places where smoke usually hangs about.
The Air District is urging citizens to use greener heating technology and cut dependency on wood-burning appliances as winter arrives. Simple adjustments like switching to electric heaters or making sure homes are correctly insulated can significantly help to improve the air quality in the area.
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This Spare the Air Alert is just another reminder of our shared obligations to preserve public health and the environment. Following the rules and looking for sustainable substitutes will let Bay Area residents help to guarantee cleaner skies for everyone.
