A Winter Spare the Air Day has been issued for Wednesday, banning wood fires throughout the region for another 24-hour period, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
The air alert has been in effect today and will continue Wednesday for the eighth day this season, air officials said.
During a prolonged cold snap with temperatures dropping into the 30s and below, air pollution is expected to stay at unhealthy levels again on Wednesday.
During a Spare the Air Day in winter, it is prohibited to use fireplaces, woodstoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning device. Wood burning is only legal 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.
