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Spare The Air Alert Issued For Wednesday

Wood burning ban is declared despite a forecast of light rain.

Despite some rain in the forecast, another Spare the Air alert has been issued for Wednesday.

The edict prohibits the burning of wood, manufactured fire logs and other solid fuel indoors or outdoors throughout the Bay Area all day and all evening Wednesday.

It's the eighth such alert issed by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District since Jan. 1.

The ban comes even though the National Weather Service is forecasting rain during the day on Wednesday and possible showers Wednesday evening.

Air quality officials say particulates have built up in the air during the past few days and are threatening to reach unhealthy levels on Wednesday. Officials say tomorrow's rain will not be enough to reduce pollution levels.

“The region will again experience high particulate pollution levels,” said Jack Broadbent, the air district's executive officer. "Due to the Winter Spare the Air Alert calls, we have not yet exceeded the federal health standard, which is exactly what the alerts are designed to do."

First-time violators are given the option to take a wood smoke awareness class, online or by mail, in lieu of paying a penalty. Second violations result in a $500 ticket and subsequent ticket amounts are higher.

Related Story: Would You Report Your Neighbor for Burning Wood on a Spare the Air Day?

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Dirtwaterfox January 23, 2013 at 12:05 pm
This is hilarious. The idiots who came up with this program were wearing "Split Wood not Atoms" t-shirts in the 70's. What a waste of money. My God we are doomed.
BobG January 23, 2013 at 01:05 pm
Until you have an elderly parent or a child with respiratory issues you will never know first hand how difficult it is for them to breath when the air quality is poor. Maybe you can show some understanding, compassion, and empathy for those who do struggle.
Weechee Warrick January 23, 2013 at 02:20 pm
I've never met anyone in my years that had a serious reaction to neighborhood wood smoke, but it seems reasonable that all people should pay a lot more to PGE so that the five people with this problem can go outside today.
Rich Buckley January 23, 2013 at 02:40 pm
"The repeated claim of CO2-driven climate change without acknowledgment of geoengineering-related environmental intervention is a severe perversion of both meaningful scientific inquiry and public opinion with overwhelming implications for all life on earth"
http://tinyurl.com/3jbyual
Julia January 23, 2013 at 02:59 pm
Take a peek outside from a higher elevation (eg driving into Livermore from 84) and you will see the lovely brown haze. So, it's not just about the few people with issues, it's about EVERYONE WHO LIKES TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR! DUH!
Camaro on Cinderblocks January 23, 2013 at 04:49 pm
I will take dirty air over $400 PG&E bills. Until the .gov squashes the monopoly that is PG&E I will burn wood in my fireplace anytime I want.
Maurice Duenas January 23, 2013 at 05:28 pm
AMEN. I have my fire roaring now to keep me warm. Yo, Air District. come and get me, if you can.
Sandra January 23, 2013 at 05:29 pm
Amen to that! PG&E bills are outrageous, and there needs to be competition.
Voter with an ID January 23, 2013 at 06:15 pm
BobG, even you and your lung challenged relatives have to admit that a rainy day is the polar opposite of a day with 'stagnant' air. It's pouring rain in Pleasanton right now. How in the world would wood smoke particulates stand a chance in this rain? You've obviously been duped by the over-paid fear mongering bureaucrats that want to keep you in a state of constant paranoia. lemming.
Voter with an ID January 23, 2013 at 06:16 pm
Take a peek at the driving rain from the Dublin Grade, Julia. Don't you feel even more foolish now?
Voter with an ID January 23, 2013 at 06:18 pm
Can't wait to get home and light up tonight (my fireplace, that is----don't want complaints about any second hand smoke!). I knew it would rain today--I washed my cars on Sunday. Good thing I was able to dodge the water police longer enough to clean my vehicles.
Maurice Duenas January 23, 2013 at 08:21 pm
A comfy 73 degrees inside and no PGE.
Julia January 23, 2013 at 08:34 pm
The alert was issued BEFORE THE RAIN. Rain and wind cleans up the atmosphere. Ever notice how clear the view is (no brown haze) from 84 after a rain? PG&E (Price Gouge & Everything) is a monopoly. I don't like the outrageous monthly expense either, but I enjoy breathing clean air.
Rich Buckley January 23, 2013 at 09:55 pm
MODERN WEATHER SCIENCE AWARENESS & GEO-ENGINEERING DISCUSSION FORUM
"The repeated claim of CO2-driven climate change without acknowledgment of geoengineering-related environmental intervention is a severe perversion of both meaningful scientific inquiry and public opinion with overwhelming implications for all life on earth" Lives and proper readiness depend on understanding modern weather science and geoengineering in our sky. There are two major modern day components to our weather that people are just now beginning recognize: (1) Aerial Spraying seen almost daily in our sky appearing as jet condensation trails, but in reality are long lasting, cloud forming hydrolyzed cocktails usually composed of aluminum, barium and strontium and sometimes carbon black and other chemicals. (2) High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) -- essentially a giant 3-km by 3-km, 1000-megawatt microwave with the door left open while it operates to heart the upper atmosphere. Scientists are ahead of our weather forecasters. Without tracking and incorporating the aerial spraying and microwave bursts into our short range weather forecasts lives are being lost as mild weather forecasts turn instantly (24-to-72 hours) into server weather. Our group believes Public Safety Readiness compels this technology to be discussed publicly with active congressional oversight. Please join us in this discussion. http://tinyurl.com/b6rhv87
P January 23, 2013 at 09:56 pm
BobGeeWhiz,
"Until you have an elderly parent or a child with respiratory issues...." If they are that bad off, then let them wear a mask and an oxygen task and leave the 99.9% of the rest of us alone to actually live life. Or have them stay indoors, or run to the car, or exercise in an indoor gym. So today the air was good (because of the ban). Therefore, I have a question for you: how many hours of today were YOUR "elderly parent or a child with respiratory issues" outside in the air and breathing it in aggressively. Did they even spend an hour taking advantage of the ban?? YOU (and your infirmed family) have caused the whole rest of California to jump to your commands. This has NEVER been about "respiratory issues"--that's all a red herring.
Michael Bartholomew January 24, 2013 at 04:36 pm
I don't know which report is correct but i look daily at this site and it said yesterday there where no spare the air alerts in place..I rely on this site to burn when it's cold out.
http://www.sparetheair.org/Stay-Informed/Todays-Air-Quality/Five-Day-Forecast.aspx
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Nika Megino (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 10:59 am
Hi Christian! Sorry for the trouble! I've gone in and reapproved your posts. I did, however, deleteRead More the duplicates. Please let me know if you have any more trouble with posting, and again, sorry for the inconvenience with our Spambot!
Christian Holm June 17, 2013 at 04:04 pm
Thanks, Nika! I truly appreciate your efforts. I just wish the software would get fixed.
Bridget Carney June 15, 2013 at 10:10 pm
Hi Penelope! I am interested in finding out more about your puppies. Please e-mail me atRead More bridget.carney@gmail.com
DeAnna Senft McDaid June 13, 2013 at 07:32 pm
thank you Lauren
Cindy Eckel June 14, 2013 at 08:01 am
Did you try 'Pleasanton Rentals' in Pleasanton...I know you asked for Livermore but this place hasRead More it all!
DeAnna Senft McDaid June 14, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Thank you Cindy I'll give them a call. apprecitate you taking the time.
Abby and Buddy
Beatrice Karnes June 13, 2013 at 08:48 am
They are beautiful and you described them so well! I hope that someone steps forward quickly! (IRead More have my quota of cats already.)
TrueRealist June 12, 2013 at 06:35 pm
It isn't up to the gov. to help raise your kids. The stork didn't drop the kid off unexpectedly. IfRead More you can't afford kids then don't have them.
barbieann June 13, 2013 at 08:39 am
Wow, so quick to jump to conclusions and judge. Maybe T.G. BUYS the child's lunch. Every schoolRead More sells hot lunch every day. At the majority of our schools, more lunches are bought than given for free.
DeAnna Senft McDaid June 13, 2013 at 12:43 pm
The schools give us 2 options as parents. 1. Buying lunches on campus or 2. Send them with a lunch.Read More Clearly the author of this chose number 1 and the school was OUT leaving the child with NO 3rd option. Shame on that school.
Jason Morgan June 9, 2013 at 09:33 pm
A great issue! However, the rodeo is nothing but animal cruelty wrapped up as "tradition"Read More and "entertainment". Why would the animal's welfare become a concern now? Rodeo performers have been documented beating, kicking, and shocking normally docile cows and horses in chutes and holding pens. "Bucking broncos" and steers are provoked with electric prods, sharp sticks, caustic ointments, and the pinching "bucking" strap, which is what really makes them jump, they are not "wild" and "dangerous" . The cowboys earn points by spurring the bucking horse. I have seen them up close and many are bleeding. Calves, roped when running, have their necks snapped back by the lasso, often resulting in neck and back injuries, bruises, broken bones, and internal bleeding. After their short and painful "careers," animals in rodeos are sent to the slaughterhouse. Dr. C.G. Haber, a veterinarian who spent 30 years as a federal meat inspector, describes the animals discarded from rodeos for slaughter as being "so extensively bruised that the only areas in which the skin was attached [to the flesh] was the head, neck, leg, and belly. I have seen animals with six to eight ribs broken from the spine and, at times, puncturing the lungs. I have seen as much as 2 to 3 gallons of free blood accumulated under the detached skin." Every national animal protection organization opposes rodeos because of their inherent cruelty. Don't feel bad everyone, I used to love the rodeo too. Before I knew better...
Bonbrwneyes June 10, 2013 at 09:13 pm
Something to consider and not pushing it aside because I feel its unimportant, but what I'd love toRead More have access to is how the riders that were hurt are doing today. Two bull riders got gored, one in the back and he was down and out for a bit and then obviously not "okay" as he stumbled out of the arena and then another that got his leg hurt and he couldn't get himself over the gate on his own. Left saturday's Rodeo hoping they were okay and would love follow up if at all possible. Thanks!
Danielle Nabozny June 8, 2013 at 03:00 pm
Thank you! That is what we want to know too. We have had more power outages this week than in theRead More 20+ years total that we have lived in this house!
Lynn June 8, 2013 at 07:03 pm
It would be nice to know, indeed. When my husband called to report the outage the recording saidRead More there were no outages in our area, which was clearly incorrect.
AT June 9, 2013 at 06:00 pm
I got the same thing, no outages when I called. I requested to be contacted by PG&E to explainRead More the problem. No call for that but I did get a "survey" call about their automated system. We have also lived here for 20+ years and never had this many outages.
Kari Hulac (Editor) June 8, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Great photos, Kathie..was the horse being evacuated?
Kathie Seymour-Sindicic June 8, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Thank you!! Yes this lady was evacuating this horse. It was the only one a saw be evacuated.