Burn rules

What: Fires in fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are prohibited during Spare the Air nights, declared when there is greatest risk of exposure to the fine particulates in wood smoke that can exacerbate health problems.

When: The winter season during which the ban can be imposed begins Saturday and runs through February.

Where: Only those within the Bay Area Air Quality District are restricted. It stretches from San Jose to Windsor and includes nine counties. Communities in the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District, including Bodega Bay, Occidental, Forestville and Healdsburg, are exempt. That district does not impose a mandatory "no burn" on Spare-the-Air nights, but does require residents to use lower-emission, EPA-approved wood-burning devices.

Who is exempt: People who have no other heat source. Wood stoves used for cooking are also exempt.

Who is not exempt: People who choose to use wood-burning devices in place of installed heaters and those who use clean-burning EPA stoves, recreational stoves and fireplaces.

Fines: None for first offense. Fines can range from several hundred dollars to $1,000, depending on the severity of the offense, with extreme cases facing even greater fines on a case-by-case basis.

Enforcement agency: The Bay Area Air Quality Management District will enforce the rules by patrolling and responding to complaints.

More information: Residents can register for automatic e-mail or phone alerts to Spare-the-Air days at the district Web site, www.sparetheair.org or by calling (800) HELP-AIR (435-7247).

To reach the Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District, call 433-5911.

-- Laura Norton