By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

The new year is starting with a “Spare the Air” alert by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The unprecedented series of winter alerts has continued as stagnant air has prevented pollution from being blown away from the Bay Area, said Aaron Richardson, spokesperson for the air quality management district.

This is the 24th alert issued since the winter Spare the Air season began Nov. 1, 2013. It concludes Feb. 28.

“High pressure over the region has continued to allow air pollution to build up to levels that are forecast to be unhealthy on New Year’s Day,” Richardson said.

The alert means it is illegal to burn wood or other combustibles inside or outside of homes and other buildings.

Besides fireplaces, residents are not allowed to use wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning devices, unless the homes have no other permanently installed heating and depend on wood stoves or fireplaces as the only source of heat.

First offenders either are fined $100 or may choose to take a wood smoke awareness class. Subsequent fines begin at $500 and go higher, he said.

“Wood fires can cause serious health impacts in our communities and in our homes,” said Jack Broadbent, the Air District’s executive officer.

“Wood smoke has many of the same hazardous substances as cigarette smoke, so we’re asking the public to consider cleaner alternatives to wood burning to help ensure a healthy 2014 for all Bay Area residents,” he said.

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