The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is asking the region’s residents to not burn wood during the Christmas holiday but is not issuing Spare the Air alerts that would ban it.
The district, which oversees air quality in the nine-county Bay Area, issued the wood-burning bans via Spare the Air alerts on days earlier this week, but said the air quality will be better Friday during the Christmas holiday.
Nevertheless, the burning of wood in fireplaces, woodstoves and fire pits can cause significant localized pollution, so the air district is strongly discouraging it.
“After unprecedented levels of wildfire smoke and increasing COVID-19 health concerns this year, it’s important that the public not burn wood so we can all enjoy clean air and have a healthy holiday season,” air district executive officer Jack Broadbent said in a news release.
The air district is also reminding residents that it is illegal to burn wrapping paper, which often includes synthetic inks and other chemicals, as well as burning other trash or paper.
do they discourage refining oil?
Good one Mike.
Broadbent can get bent. Ivory tower Mofo.
Hey Broadbent, real easy to say this to people who need to hear their homes when you take on over $300k a year. You are nothing but pure ivory tower scum.
Figures…no ban but the fat a$$ bureaucrats still have to let us know that they’re still around. I guess they get paid for making a statement probably at time and half pay.
I see where this is going, based on CA governing procedure… right now, the powers that be are “asking’ that (once free) residents not burn wood. Means we are not far from being told we cannot burn wood, regardless of the “measured” air quality, because you know, during a cold cold evening on Christmas Eve, nobody would possibly consider using their fireplace.
I’d like to see them do something about the toxic fumes that spew from the refineries into Pacheco/N. Concord on a daily basis.
Another useless organization.
The last couple nights walking my dog I get completely choked out by people smoke from their chimneys but I understand it’s nice to have a fire in your house this time of year I grew up with a large fireplace
The Briskets come out about noonish. YES ! Burning Wood.
Baked beans almost done, then the Mac&Cheese start baking.
Cornbread done yesterday and wrapped tightly.
Delivery to the kids start about 1, presents included.
Should be home about 5 with our feet in front of the fire… Yep! Wood !
I have a Santa face mask…..
I forgot to mention my dad switched his fireplace to gas years ago and never looked back it’s still gets really hot and way less effort and no cleaning. No buying firewood and you don’t have to worry about the no burn days
According to the Berkeley Nazi’s, the use of gas for heating and cooking is not aloud. Please have your Dad respect the insane Berkeley leaders.
Gas stoves are the best. You can still cook on your stove even when the power is out
I’m surprised that I’m still allowed to light the candles on the menorah 🕎
Lol….these tools have no credibility thanks to the recent state and county gaffes. It’s supposed to rain on Christmas and these fools are still telling people not to burn wood.
I upgraded to a gas insert recently and it’s great, but realize not everyone can do that.
I’m gonna burn some cardboard and wrapping paper in my backyard just because these idiots are trying to tell me what to do.
F. you Newsome, broadbent, and all of your cronies.
Merry Christmas to everyone else!
Attic vent covers? Also keeps the rain and cold air from coming in. Check Ace Hardware.
Wood fire pit for this Evening to enjoy a small burn.
One of the reasons there may be too much smoke for a burn is folks are using wet wood or soft wood,…use dry hard wood for a clean burn.
Whoa! Lot of chest beating going on here! Probably marching around with their “Don’t Tread On Me” flags.
Remember, you have chosen to live in the Bay Area where we live elbow to elbow in a society of 6 million people. You are but one cell in that organism and have implied, often unwritten rules that promote the good of the herd. One of those is courtesy to those around you. The good of the many trumps the good of the few.
We are now in the 3rd or 4th generation of people teaching their kids to be vain, lawless, and self centered.
They didn’t say anything about charcoal, so I am BBQing on Christmas.
There is no other way to cook baby back ribs, and big-a$$ red shrimp.
Ok. So, what if someone was born and raised in the Bay Area, at a time when we didn’t live elbow to elbow? Many of us are not interested in bending to the will of the herd.
Anyways,…they didn’t say anything about charcoal, so I am BBQing on Christmas.
There is no other way to cook baby back ribs, and big-a$$ red shrimp.
I feel better now. Today’s mindset is exemplified in highway speeds (Hwy 4) and general traffic manners.
B.T.W. the population of Concord was roughly 7000 when we moved here in 1950. The house is on Orange St. in the subdivision near 4-Corners called Treehaven. Price at the time was about $10,000 for the house.
Me, the smell of burning wood brings back goods memories I had as a kid. For those who choose to burn wood I say go for it. For those who disagree, tough darts. It is still a free country for now.