Tomorrow has been declared a Winter Spare the Air Day for the Bay Area by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Wood burning is not allowed; second time violators could receive fines of $400.
Please consider reducing your contribution to air pollution by taking transit, ridesharing, and telecommuting.
From baaqmd.gov, here are 10 things you can do to reduce wood smoke pollution:
- Give your fireplace or wood stove the night off.
- Replace your fireplace or wood stove with a clean burning natural gas device.
- Insulate your house to keep warmth in.
- Save energy and reduce pollution by wearing a sweater on chilly nights.
- Switch to an EPA-certified wood burning device or pellet stove, which emit up to 70% less PM.
- Burn clean, hotter fires with plenty of air, in order to prevent visible smoke from a chimney or flue; smoke which indicates poor combustion so adjust dampers or fuel accordingly.
- Never burn, painted wood, treated wood, particle board, plastics, wrapping paper or other garbage; burning them releases toxic chemicals.
- Burn only dry hardwood fuel such as oak or cherry, which produces less smoke and burns hotter; never burn wet wood.
- Store wood in a dry or covered area, off the ground to keep it from getting wet.
- Keep your fireplace and stove well maintained to improve air flow and reduce emissions.
For more information, visit sparetheair.org.
