The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is ending the burn season for San Francisco Bay Area flood debris fires Sunday.

But it is opening the burn season for double crop stubble Monday, Aaron Richardson, senior public information officer, said.

The Air District is the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the nine-county Bay Area.

“The permissible burn season for double crop stubble applies to agricultural fires set to dispose of grain stubble from land where both grain and vegetable crops are harvested during the same calendar year,” Richardson said.

That season runs through Aug. 31. However, the Air District won’t allow burning when it declares “Spare the Air” alerts, he said. Nor is burning allowed before 10 a.m.

Open burning requirements apply to the nine-county Bay Area region, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma counties, Richardson said.

“Open burning is regulated because of its impact on air quality,” he said. “Certain fires for agricultural purposes, flood control, fire training and the prevention of fire hazards, among other purposes, are allowed when weather conditions are favorable for smoke dispersion.

Many of the burns may take place during specified periods throughout the year, and each day of the year is designated a “burn” or “no burn” day.

Those wanting to read the Air District’s open burning regulation may do so online at www.baaqmd.gov by typing “Open Burning Regulation 5” into the search field, Richardson said. The link will appear at the top of the search results page.

Open burn information is also available on the Air District’s toll-free number, 800-HELP AIR (435-7247).

Sharing is caring!