GRAPHIC: Top Bay Area Counties With The Most Illegal Wood Burning Complaints
(CBS SF) -- Officials at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District have announced that Thursday will be the seventh straight Winter Spare the Air day.
Air pollution exceeded federal health standards Tuesday as a high-pressure system is currently preventing wind and rain from mitigating any air pollution lingering in the area.
As the Bay Area is on track to meet last year's record of 11 Spare the Air days in a row, neighbors are complaining more than last year about alleged wood burning offenders.
In 2013-14, the district received 5,091 complaints over 30 days, for an average of 169.7 complaints per day a Winter Spare the Air alert was in effect. Inspectors issued 267 tickets as a result. This most recent November and December, officials received 1127 complaints for an average of 187.8 complaints per Spare the Air day.
Marin County raked in the most complaints for November and December, followed by Alameda and San Mateo counties.
Burning wood or other solid fuels is prohibited on Winter Spare the Air Days. But homes that rely solely on woodstoves or fireplaces for heat and do not have permanently installed gas or electric heaters can apply for an exemption.
First-time violators are subject to a $100 fine, or they can attend a wood smoke awareness class online or by mail. Fines for subsequent offenses start at $500.
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