Poor air prompts Bay Area fireplace fire ban on Christmas Eve

Chestnuts won’t be roasting on an open fire anytime soon in the Bay Area because three Spare the Air alerts have been declared through Christmas Eve.

The alerts mean that wood or other solid fuel burning is prohibited, both indoors and outdoors. The alerts, for Friday through Sunday, are the ninth, 10th and 11th of the winter season issued by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

“For some, a wood fire is nostalgic during the holidays, but (it) causes significant health impacts for residents in our neighborhoods,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district. “Please be considerate.”

Use locally grown wood when lighting your holiday fire. Use locally grown wood when lighting your holiday fire. Photo: David Prince, Hearst Communications Photo: David Prince, Hearst Communications Image 1 of / 28 Caption Close Poor air prompts Bay Area fireplace fire ban on Christmas Eve 1 / 28 Back to Gallery

The only exemption to the ban on fireplace, wood stove and pellet stove burning is for homes where those devices represent the only source of heat.

Inspectors who detect telltale streams of chimney smoke are empowered to issue $100 citations. First-time violators are allowed to attend smoke awareness class, similar to traffic school, in lieu of paying.

Wood smoke, which contains carcinogens and small particles, is the main source of Bay Area air pollution. It has been linked to respiratory illnesses and heart attacks.

For more information about Spare the Air alerts, visit www.sparetheair.org.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com