Bay Area Residents Losing Tolerance for Wood Burning as More Violations Issued

Photo: A Patch editor’s cat enjoying a roaring fire.

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By Bea Karnes (Patch Staff)

The winter Spare the Air season has ended with more Bay Area residents saying they’ve ditched wood burning, even on days when it’s not banned.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District reports that 30 percent of residents reporting they are burning less wood even on days when an alert has not been issued. Surveys also indicated that 75 percent of Bay Area residents support the Air District’s Wood Burning Rule.

The District issued 23 Winter Spare the Air Alerts this winter.

Jack Broadbent, the Air District’s executive officer said, “Even with the significant reduction in wood burning, the Bay Area still exceeded national health standards on six days, and nearly exceeded another nine days, underscoring the need to continue reducing pollution from wood burning.”

Wood smoke from the 1.4 million fireplaces and wood stoves in the region is the largest source of wintertime air pollution in the Bay Area, containing harmful pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide. Exposure to wood smoke has been linked to serious respiratory illnesses and even increased risk of heart attacks, according to a release from the District.

Residents found to be burning during a Winter Spare the Air Alert for the first time were given the option of taking an online or written wood smoke awareness course in lieu of paying a $100 ticket.

The Air District received a total of 3,739 wood smoke complaints from residents, with 155 tickets issued.

Preliminary survey data indicates that the Wood Burning Rule is an effective instrument for reducing particulates from wood smoke. Despite 23 no-burn days, 30 percent of Bay Area residents indicated they are burning less wood even on days when an alert has not been issued. Surveys also indicated that 75 percent of Bay Area residents support the Air District’s Wood Burning Rule.

Complaints by County

Alameda – 499

Contra Costa – 576

Marin – 865

Napa – 123

San Francisco – 85

San Mateo – 423

Santa Clara – 521

Solano – 94

Sonoma – 521

TOTAL – 3739*

*No county information provided – 32

Violations by County

Alameda – 17

Contra Costa – 16

Marin – 21

Napa – 8

San Francisco – 1

San Mateo – 33

Santa Clara – 5

Solano – 6

Sonoma – 48

TOTAL – 155

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