A winter Spare the Air Alert makes it illegal for businesses and residents to use their fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits, or any other wood-burning device, said Lisa Fasano with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Inspectors planned to issue written warnings to first time violators of the alert. Repeat offenders could face fines ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars, said Fasano.

KCBS' Janice Wright Reports

The Spare the Air advisory was issue because air quality has reached unhealthy levels. Light winds and a high pressure system have combined to create a blanket of smog over the bay region, she said.

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