By Town Crier Report

The cold and rainy weather we have been experiencing of late makes most of us want to settle in our easy chairs and light a fire in the fireplace. For most areas - except Los Altos, which adopted a wood smoke ordinance in 1992 - the Bay Area Air Quality Board points out that traditional wood fires are a health risk, with one fire emitting almost a half-pound of particulate pollution into a neighborhood in an evening. The very smallest particles can penetrate the air sacs of the lungs, contributing to lung disease, shortness of breath, asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

Fireplaces are not an efficient source of heat, and wood is expensive. If you must light a fire in the fireplace, use only dry seasoned wood, and never use wrapping paper as a starter. For a free wood-burning handbook call the Bay Area Air Quality Management District at (800) HELP-AIR.