Date
Lunes, Disyembre 30, 2024
The Air District is asking the public to not burn wood in their fireplaces, woodstoves, or outdoor fire pits through the New Year’s holiday to keep air quality from becoming unhealthy.
Without additional wood burning, air quality is expected to be moderate throughout the Bay Area. However, wood burning through 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.
The Air District is also asking residents to refrain from setting off personal fireworks displays. Fireworks and wood smoke can cause an unhealthy spike in air pollution and create excess smoke and ash in neighborhoods.
Like cigarette and wildfire smoke, wood smoke contains carcinogenic substances such as particulate matter, benzene and formaldehyde, which are harmful when inhaled. 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/alerts
- Signing up for automatic phone alerts at www.sparetheair.org/alerts
- Downloading the Spare the Air iPhone or Android app
For more information about Spare the Air, visit www.sparetheair.org.
View press release.
Last Updated: 12/30/2024