Bay Area air regulators look at Russian consulate’s smoky chimney

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Black smoke billows from a chimney on top of the Russian consulate on September 1, 2017 in San Francisco, California. In response to a Russian government demand for the United States to cut its diplomatic staff in Russia by 455, the Trump administration ordered the closure of three consular offices in the San Francisco, New York and Washington. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Black smoke billows from a chimney on top of the Russian consulate on September 1, 2017 in San Francisco, California. In response to a Russian government demand for the United ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Bay Area air regulators look at Russian consulate’s smoky chimney 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The Russian government almost had one more thing to deal with on top of U.S. sanctions: a ticket from Bay Area air regulators.

As social media exploded with photos of smoke billowing from the chimney of the Russian consulate in San Francisco on Friday afternoon, a day after the Trump administration ordered it closed, a local air inspector headed to the embassy in the Cow Hollow neighborhood to see if any pollution rules were being broken.

It didn’t help that the Bay Area Air Quality Management District had declared a Spare the Air Day on Friday, meaning air quality was being compromised by heat and wildfire smoke. District officials were urging people to do what they could to reduce pollution.

“What the hell is the Russian consulate burning? Secrets to making the best vodka?” wrote Twitter user Akit, who described himself as a foul-mouthed San Francisco native.

Others on social media figured the reason for the fire was more sinister.

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire … and burning #russianconsulate documents related to Trump, Clinton or both!” wrote Nathan Yates on Twitter.

Some had fun with the incident.

“The Russians have chosen a new pope,” wrote T. Becket Adams at the Washington Examiner.

While consulate officials wouldn’t say why they were having a fire, it clearly wasn’t for heat on a day that San Francisco broke temperature records — a high of 106 degrees.

There has long been suspicion that those working at the consulate may be spies and have sensitive information on record.

As for air pollution, by the time the inspector arrived, the smoke had stopped coming out of the chimney. The inspector had planned to test the density of the smoke to see if was “excessive,” according to the air district. Although the district discourages fires, especially on Spare the Air Days, there is no law banning them in the summertime.

“We did not issue a citation today,” said Kristine Roselius, spokeswoman for the district. “But we will be watching to see if the smoke kicks up again.”

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander