Spare the Air alert in Bay Area to remain through Saturday

The Bay Area Air District extended its Spare the Air alert through at least Saturday, banning indoor and outdoor burning of wood and other solid fuels. Fine particulate levels were at or above the district's threshold and are expected to remain in the mid- to high-moderate range.

The Bay Area Air District extended a Spare the Air alert through at least Saturday. The district said a persistent high-pressure system is expected to affect air quality. That pattern is expected to bring a strong inversion, cold overnight temperatures and offshore winds. Fine particulate matter concentrations were at or above the district's threshold on Thursday morning. Key details: - The alert bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuels, indoors and outdoors, including fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves and outdoor fire pits at homes and businesses. - Officials attributed the extension to a high-pressure system with expected strong inversion, cold nights and offshore winds, and said fine particulate levels are likely to remain in the mid- to high-moderate range over the next several days. - The district noted exposure to wood smoke has been linked to respiratory illnesses, an increased risk of heart attack and certain types of cancer. - Homes without permanent heating where a wood stove or fireplace is the only heat source may be exempt if the device is EPA-certified or pellet-fueled and registered with the air district; open-hearth fireplaces are no longer exempt. - Enforcement includes a wood smoke awareness course for first-time violators; those who do not take the course may receive a $100 ticket, and a second violation carries a $500 fine. Summary: The alert means restrictions on burning solid fuels will remain in place while the weather pattern persists, and fine particulate levels are expected to stay in the mid- to high-moderate range. Details about exemptions and penalties were announced by the Bay Area Air District. Undetermined at this time.