By Bay City News Service
A "Winter Spare the Air" alert has been issued for Saturday, making it the sixth consecutive day that wood burning will be banned in the Bay Area, air district officials said today.
Saturday's ban, issued by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, will be the 21st of the season.
On Winter Spare the Air days, residents cannot burn wood, logs or other solid fuels indoors or outside unless their home depends solely on a woodstove or fireplace for heat.
The ban will remain in effect for a sixth straight day because a high pressure system over the Bay Area has not allowed fine particulate pollution to move out of the region, air district officials said.
Violators will have to pay a $100 fee for a first-time offense or take a wood smoke awareness class. Subsequent violations are punishable with a fine of $500 or more.
The Winter Spare the Air season runs from Nov. 1 through Feb. 28. Residents can check the daily burn status by calling (877) 4-NO-BURN or visiting the district's website at www.sparetheair.org.
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