Bay Area 'Spare The Air' Alert Issued For Sunday

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- San Francisco Bay Area air quality officials are prohibiting the use of wood-burning fireplaces for another day after determining the region's air is unhealthy.

For the 7th day straight, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an alert for Sunday, which makes use of fire pits, woodstoves or manufactured fire logs illegal.

Homes where woodstoves or fireplaces are the only heat source are exempt.

Jack Broadbent, the district's executive director, says particulates from burning wood create unhealthy air.

Air quality has suffered recently due to a prolonged dry spell that has allowed pollution to remain in the area.

It was the 22nd "Spare the Air" alert since Nov.

First time violators face a possible $100 fine, or $500 for a 2nd citation.

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