Christmas crackdown on fireplaces yields 400 complaints; New Year's may be next

San Jose Mercury News ^ | Updated 12/28/11 | Mike Rosenberg

[SmithL]

The Bay Area's air-quality police were out in force over Christmas weekend, cracking down on wood fires. And the smoke cops could be sending out belated stocking stuffers -- hefty fines -- to several dozen people caught using their fireplaces.

Regulators said more than 400 people tattled on their neighbors for lighting wood fires in their homes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a holiday tradition that was illegal this year because of poor air quality.

Authorities say they didn't issue any fines on the spot but are sorting through 77 cases of potential violations after working overtime, patrolling in Toyota Priuses and natural gas vehicles to spot chimney smoke and respond to complaints.

Those caught burning fires in their homes for the first time since the winter "Spare the Air" campaign began in 2008 will receive a warning, while repeat offenders will get $400 tickets.

But the Bay Area Air Quality Management District isn't worried about coming off like a grinch -- and doesn't plan on showing any leniency just because it's Christmas time.

[rarestia]

UNREAL! I live in Florida where chimneys are hard to find, but this crap goes on the Left Coast? People can’t even keep themselves warm during the winter... this is upside-down land, and I’ve only been alive for nigh over 30 years.

[MrB]

“People can’t even keep themselves warm during the winter”

I think that’s where we’re headed. I fully believe that the “ruling class” would like nothing better than for the masses to be freezing in the dark.

[RightOnline]

Serves ‘em right. Who do you think keeps electing these uber-PC, leftist morons?

[muir_redwoods]

“It’s okay officer, I’m only burning medicinal marijuana in my fireplace”

[Krankor]

I’m having a wood burning fire right now. It’s one of the few pleasures in life I really enjoy. If I’m denied this in the future, I’m moving.

[Old Sarge]

more than 400 people tattled on their neighbors for lighting wood fires in their homes

Today it's fireplaces.

Next comes the neighborhood informants looking in your trash for patriotic contraband.

[Disambiguator]

Authorities say they didn't issue any fines on the spot but are sorting through 77 cases of potential violations after working overtime, patrolling in Toyota Priuses and natural gas vehicles to spot chimney smoke and respond to complaints.

They patrol in smugmobiles - just to add insult to injury.

And people ask me why I left California...

[Digger]

Today it's fireplaces. Next comes the neighborhood informants looking in your trash for patriotic contraband.

Oh yea! It all started with the crapo cigarette smoking band. I preached to all what this would mean as if restaurants could put their own ban on smoking. We are now going to have the Gestapo (TSA)at high school events ,buses, trains. This is why I'm looking for the place to move outside of this Banana Republic.

[Rich21IE]

Proving once again, the best neighbors are no neighbors.

[going hot]

Next comes the neighborhood informants looking in your trash for patriotic contraband.

I use large rat traps in the garbage bags to break dogs of the habit of raiding them. Works usually after first snap on the nose, sometimes takes two.

Should work equally well on snoopy fingers.

[goseminoles]

This story makes me want to scream. What is happening to our beloved nation?

[GonzoGOP]

Authorities say they didn't issue any fines on the spot

Because they would have gotten their Prius driving butts kicked. The only thing I hate worse than totalitarians are cowards.

[Cyber Liberty]

Serves ‘em right. Who do you think keeps electing these uber-PC, leftist morons?

If I had to guess, 400 of them are the rat-bastids who called in the complaints....

[Sudetenland]

"Regulators said more than 400 people tattled on their neighbors for lighting wood fires in their homes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day"

There you have your perfect liberal society. Convince people that informing on your neighbors is your civic duty.

It's the inevitable conclusion of Dike Napolitano's "See something, say something" program.

Cameras on every corner, informants in every house--not a creature can stir, not even a mouse.

[gettinolder]

Sure would shut me down. I sell wood.

[NormsRevenge]

between CARB and the Thermal Police.. we’re skrewed.

[Rytas]

In old Soviet Union that was called informing on, not tattling. The left coast lefties call it practice.

[NormsRevenge]

the latest narc on yur neighbor program .. where have we seen that before? ;-)

[gettinolder]

My first picture post, sorry about the large size. I’ll get dialed in.