Another Spare The Air Alert Issued For Wednesday

Keep that wood in the woodshed.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued another Spare The Air alert for Wednesday.

The alert bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or anyother solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors for 24 hours.

“Weather conditions are expected to trap wood smoke near the ground, creating unhealthy air quality in the Bay Area,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air quality district. “Wood smoke, like cigarette smoke, isunhealthy for everyone so it is important that Bay Area residents not burn wood during a Winter Spare the Air Alert.”

It's the second straight day such an prohibition is in effect. A Spare The Air alert was also in place on Tuesday.

We may see more alerts, too. The National Weather Service forecast shows mostly sunny skies for the next week with no rain in the forecast.

Starting this winter, first-time violators will be given the option to take a wood smoke awareness class, online or by mail, to learn about the hazards of wood smoke pollution in lieu of paying a penalty. Second violations will result in a $500 ticket and subsequent ticket amounts will be higher.