Spare the Air -- Bay Area Air Quality Management District

Winter Spare the Air

From November to February, particulate matter — especially particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller in size (PM2.5) — can become a problem in the Bay Area. To protect public health, the Air District will issue a Winter Spare the Air Alert when PM2.5 concentrations are expected to be unhealthy. When a Winter Spare the Air Alert is in effect, burning wood, firelogs, or pellets in your fireplace or woodstove is illegal. Wood burning produces about one-third of the particulate pollution on a typical winter night.

Wood Smoke Pollution
The nine counties that surround San Francisco Bay are home to almost seven million residents and an estimated 1.4 million fireplaces and woodstoves. Wood smoke air pollution from these wood-burning appliances has been a health concern in the Bay Area for many years, especially on winter evenings.

Learn more about the health effects of wood smoke.
See the Spare the Air 2007-2008, 2006-2007, 2005-2006, and 2004-2005 Winter Surveys of Bay Area residents.
View historical "box scores" listing the number of times particulate matter standards have been exceeded in the Bay Area.

Make a Clean Air Pledge

In addition to residential wood burning, motor vehicles are a major source of wintertime air pollution. Pledge to help reduce winter air pollution in the Bay Area by driving less, and receive free driving credits from City CarShare. Click here for more information.