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No Fire in the Fireplace Today --Spare the Air

By Bay City News Service
Monday December 09, 2013 - 07:58:00 AM

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued its sixth Winter Spare the Air alert for today, banning all wood burning throughout the region. 

The air alert was issued due to a cold, stagnant weather pattern that has allowed air pollution to rise to a level that is expected to be unhealthy on Monday. 

"Because still weather and high pollution levels have persisted in the region, the Air District is extending this Winter Spare the Air Alert for another day," said Jack Broadbent, the air district's executive officer.  

Using fireplaces, woodstoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning device is illegal during a Winter Spare the Air alert, except in homes where woodstoves or fireplaces are the only heat source. 

Violators could face fines of up to $500. 

To file a complaint or to find out more about the alert, residents can visit the district's website at www.sparetheair.org or call (877) 4-NO-BURN.