Wildfire Smoke Prompts Winter Spare The Air Alert In Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA – A rapidly-spreading wildfire in Butte County is sending heavy smoke into the Bay Area, prompting the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to issue a Winter Spare the Air Alert through Monday.

The alert was issued Thursday night in response to the blaze, called the Camp Fire, which broke out Thursday morning in the Feather River Canyon, near the town of Paradise, according to Cal Fire. As of Friday morning, the fire had scorched 70,000 acres, killed five people, destroyed 2,000 structures and threatened 15,000 more.

Also see: Camp Fire: 5 Dead, 2,000 Structures Destroyed In Butte County

Heavy smoke from the fire is causing elevated levels of particulate pollution in the region and is especially impacting the North Bay and East Bay, officials said.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has also issued an air quality advisory for the Bay Area, which is in effect through Friday.

Also see: Wildfire Smoke Triggers Air Quality Advisory Through Friday

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

The fine particulate pollution in wood smoke is especially harmful for 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. Wood smoke also contains carcinogenic substances.

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.

Also see: Winter 'Spare The Air' Season Starts Thursday In Bay Area

To find out whether a Spare the Air alert has been issued, residents can call 877-4NO-BURN or visit www.sparetheair.org or www.baaqmd.gov. Residents can also sign up for text alerts by texting the word "START" to the number 817-57, automatic phone alerts by calling 1-800-430-1515, or automatic e-mail alerts by visiting www.sparetheair.org.

Photo credit: Steve Matthews