Spare The Air Alert Remains In Effect For New Year

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A Bay Area wood-burning ban that continued into the New Year will remain in effect on Thursday, officials from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District said Wednesday.

Thursday will be the region's third consecutive "Winter Spare the Air" day this week, prompted by an ongoing cold, dry weather conditions that trap harmful air pollutants close to the ground, according to the air district.

"Wood smoke continues to be a serious health concern in the Bay Area as this stagnant weather pattern continues," said Jack Broadbent, the air district's executive officer.

"Once again we are asking for the public's continued cooperation to reduce harmful wood smoke pollution to protect the health of all Bay Area residents," he said.

Indoor and outdoor wood burning of all kinds is prohibited during Winter Spare the Air days, including in fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. Only homes where wood burning is the only heat source are exempt from the ban.

Bay Area residents can find out the daily burn status at www.baaqmd.gov or www.sparetheair.org, by calling (877) 4-NO-BURN or by signing up for Spare the Air iPhone or Android apps.

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