Date
Huwebes, Disyembre 30, 2021
The Air District is asking the public to not burn wood in their fireplaces or woodstoves over the New Year’s holiday to keep air quality from becoming unhealthy.
While air quality is expected to be good to moderate throughout the Bay Area, wood burning during the New Year’s holiday can significantly impact localized areas and neighborhoods. Wood burning can also significantly impact indoor air quality. A Spare the Air Alert is NOT in effect and wood burning is not illegal. However, wood burning is strongly discouraged at this time.
The Air District is also asking residents to refrain from setting off personal fireworks displays this holiday weekend. Fireworks and wood smoke can cause an unhealthy spike in air pollution and create excess smoke and ash in neighborhoods.
Like cigarette smoke, wood smoke contains fine particles and carcinogenic substances that make the air unhealthy to breathe. Wood smoke is the major source of air pollution in the Bay Area in the wintertime and is especially harmful to children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions.
Bay Area residents can find out if a Spare the Air Alert is in effect by:
- Signing up for text alerts. To sign up, text the word “START” to the number 817-57
- Calling 1-877-4NO-BURN
- Visiting www.sparetheair.org or www.baaqmd.gov
- Signing up for automatic e-mail AirAlerts at www.sparetheair.org
- Signing up for automatic phone alerts at www.sparetheair.org
- Downloading the Spare the Air iPhone or Android app
View press release.
Last Updated: 12/31/2021