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Another Winter Spare the Air alert has been issued for the Bay Area on Wednesday. It is the eighth time the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued such an alert this winter season.

The 24-hour wood-burning ban is enacted when unhealthy air pollution levels are expected. The alert prohibits residents and businesses from using fireplaces, woodstoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or other wood-burning devices. Fines can be levied for violations, although first-time violators are given the option of taking a wood smoke awareness class instead.

The Winter Spare the Air season began on Nov. 1 and runs through Feb. 28. For more information about whether an alert has been issued, Bay Area residents can visit www.sparetheair.org or call the toll-free hotline at (877) 4-NO-BURN.

— Bay City News Service

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