Overview
- The Bay Area Air District forecasts elevated fine particulate levels Thursday after readings reached moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups Wednesday in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose.
- The alert makes it illegal to burn wood, manufactured logs, wood pellets or any solid fuel indoors or outdoors across the region.
- Limited exemptions apply to homes that rely on an EPA-certified or pellet-fueled device registered with the district, while natural gas, propane and electric fireplaces remain permitted.
- Enforcement includes a $100 ticket or completion of a wood-smoke awareness course for a first violation, $500 for a second offense, and higher fines thereafter.
- Separate National Park Service rules prohibit recreational beach fires at Ocean Beach through the end of February, with forecasters expecting gradual improvement as sea breezes strengthen over the weekend.