Wildfire Smoke Extends Winter Spare The Air Alert Through Friday

BAY AREA, CA – The Camp Fire in Butte County continues to send heavy smoke into the Bay Area, prompting the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to extend a Winter Spare the Air Alert through Friday, Nov. 16.

The alert was extended Monday, Nov. 12, in response to the blaze, which is the most destructive and one of the most deadly wildfires in California history. The fire has scorched 113,000 acres, killed 29 people, and destroyed 6,453 homes, 260 businesses and 389 minor structures.

Also see: Camp Fire: 29 Dead, 113,000 Acres Burned In Butte County

Air quality continues to be unhealthy through much of the region and these conditions are expected to persist through the end of the work week, air district officials said. While weather conditions will vary somewhat throughout the week, air quality is expected to remain unhealthy because there is so much smoke trapped at the surface and surrounding the region.

Outdoor and indoor burning of wood or any other solid fuel is banned during the Winter Spare the Air Alert.

"Unfortunately, smoke from the fire continues to blanket all nine counties of the Bay Area, which is why we have called the mandatory Winter Spare the Air Alert through Friday," said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district. "Any additional smoke from Bay Area chimneys could push the region into an even higher unhealthy air quality level, which puts us all in jeopardy."

It is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to use their fireplaces, woodstoves, pellet stoves,
outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning devices during a Winter Spare the Air Alert. Exemptions are available for homes without permanently installed heating, where woodstoves or fireplaces are the only source of heat, according to the air district.

The fine particles and carcinogenic substances in wood smoke is especially harmful to children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions, air district officials said. Wood smoke has been linked to respiratory illnesses and increased risk of heart attacks.

Residents who violate the rule for the first time have the option to take a class instead of paying a $100 fine. Residents who violate the rule a second time must pay a $500 fine, with the fine increasing for subsequent violations.

Photo credit: Steve Matthews