“Spare The Air” burn ban in effect for SLV residents

Thousands of people in the San Lorenzo Valley are being put on alert by local air quality managers. Despite a freeze warning, residents are facing a ban on burning firewood. Air managers said it’s a big problem that’s putting residents’ health at risk because all the smoke is polluting the air. On Friday, a burn ban was issued and is expected to last until Wednesday.

“It’s a great idea but its not very feasible in this valley as for the economics of asking people to replace their wood-burning stoves,” said Boulder Creek resident Julie Jaworski.

The ban called “Spare the Air” isn’t regulated. But air managers said if the pollution keeps up, the San Lorenzo Valley could face regulations and fines for failing to comply during ban periods. A portion of the Bay Area is regulated and tickets are being handed out for reaching a non-attainment designation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“We’ve seen pollution levels in the valley to be so high during these winter months that we’re very concerned that without a change in the behavior in cleaning up the air in advance that that designation is likely to occur,” said Mike Gilroy, deputy director for Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control District.

Residents said they’re afraid the cost of heating their homes without wood, could be over their budgets.

“I guess we would just run the heater all the time but it would be just like I said, the electricity, the PG&E would be really expensive,” said resident Margaret Giannini.

But the Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control District says it’s working with homeowners, providing generous vouchers for those who are able to put in a little of their own money to get rid of wood-burning heating systems. The district says bottom line, the pollution may be affecting people’s health. But some residents disagree.

“Even with asthma it doesn’t bother me as much as cigarette smoke or, you know, exhaust fumes,” said resident Valerie Wildflower.

Air managers said for now, the rest of the Monterey Bay doesn’t have to worry about elevated pollution from wood burning. The district said there’s about 3,000 homes with wood-burning systems in the San Lorenzo Valley. They’re hoping to change out those systems before the EPA starts bringing in regulations.