Community Corner
No Wood Burning Allowed in Los Gatos: 'Spare the Air' Issued for Sunday, Monday
The alert comes after recent local storms have resulted in light winds and cool weather conditions, which made way for air pollution.
Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued for today and Monday, Bay Area Air Quality Management District officials announced.
Bay Area residents and businesses are not allowed to burn wood throughout the day whether they are indoors or outdoors, air district officials said.
The alert comes after recent storms in the region have resulted in light winds and cool weather conditions, which made way for air pollution to build up, district officials said.
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“We were fortunate to have a weather system move through the region over the holidays,” Jack Broadbent, air district executive officer, said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, stagnant weather conditions have returned, requiring us not to burn wood to prevent unhealthy air,” Broadbent said.
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The alerts are the fifth and sixth so far this season since the Winter Spare the Air alert season started on Nov. 1.
Homes that only have woodstoves or fireplaces as a source for heat are exempt from the ban, according to air district officials.
Wood smoke consists of fine particles and carcinogenic substances that are a major source of air pollution in the Bay Area, air district officials said.
The smoke can be especially harmful to children, the elderly and those suffering from respiratory conditions, district officials said.
People found in violation of the ban will be required to take a wood smoke awareness class instead of paying a $100 ticket, according to the BAAQMD.
Those who violate the ban a second time will be fined $500 and subsequent violations will be fined higher amounts, BAAQMD officials said.
Those looking for more information on the daily status of wood burning may visit www.baaqmd.gov or www.sparetheair.org.
The public can also call (877) 4-NO-BURN or use the Spare the Air app available for iPhone or Android devices. People can also sign up for “Air Alerts” online at www.sparetheair.org or by phone at (800) 430-1515.
--Bay City News contributed to this report.
(Image via Shutterstock)
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