FAIRFIELD — The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is strongly recommending that residents not burn wood in their fireplaces or woodstoves over the holiday weekend to keep air quality from becoming unhealthy.

A Spare the Air Alert will not be in effect and wood burning is not illegal. The district is just discouraging against wood burning at this time.

The air quality is expected to be good throughout the Bay Area, but wood burning during the holiday can significantly impact indoor air quality,  the district said. 

“While we are excited to gather with our loved ones this year, foregoing a fire in the fireplace will protect air quality for our families, friends and neighbors,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District, in a press release. “Increased wood burning around the holidays can lead to high levels of air pollution that can cause serious health effects to Bay Area residents. With your help, we can keep our air clean and enjoy a healthier holiday season.”

Decorative wrapping paper is manufactured using synthetic inks, plastic film, metallic finishes and other chemicals which release toxic and carcinogenic compounds into the air when burned. The smoke is released into your home and neighborhoods where family and friends will breathe it in. The district noted that it is always illegal to burn wrapping paper, trash and scrap wood.

Like cigarette smoke, wood smoke contains fine particles and carcinogenic substances that make the air unhealthy to breathe, according to the Air District. Wood smoke is the major source of air pollution in the Bay Area in the wintertime and is especially harmful to children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality and the global climate in the nine-county Bay Area, including Solano. 

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