Spare the Air Alert in San Lorenzo Valley

The Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District issued a Spare the Air Alert commencing on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 2:00pm. This alert will be in place until further notice.

They expect a measurable change in weather patterns sometime on or after January 7th.

The Air District is against any wood burning, either indoors or outdoors, as well as the burning of manufactured fire logs and any other solid fuel sources in the San Lorenzo Valley. The Air District recommends alternative sources of heat, including propane, natural gas, electricity or pellets.

According to the Air District, smoke from burning wood is a significant source of air pollution in the San Lorenzo Valley during the winter months. It is particularly hazardous to children, the elderly and those who have respiratory issues. Burning wood causes the release of particulates that contain carcinogens.

The Air District recommends checking out http://air.mbuapcd.org to see the air quality forecast.

The Air District’s The Spare the Air season starts November 1 and goes through February 28.

The Air District will offer updates as conditions change.