Smoky Skies To Remain This Week; Spare The Air Alert Re-Issued

BAY AREA, CA — Poor air quality is likely to last in the Bay Area longer than previously expected, according to the National Weather Service.

NWS previously forecast that skies should clear by early this week. But on Monday, NWS said conditions might not see improvement for another few days due to a smoke mass hovering over the ocean.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District extended its Spare the Air alerts through Wednesday, marking 30 consecutive days of alerts in the Bay Area.

Before this summer, the region's previous record for consecutive Spare the Air alert days was 13 during the 2018 Camp Fire. During Spare the Air alert days, burning wood and other solid fuels is illegal indoors and outdoors in the Bay Area's nine counties.

The entire Bay Area saw air quality in the "unhealthy" range of the Air Quality Index Monday, according to AirNow.

That means most people should avoid strenuous activities, limit active time outdoors and postpone outdoor exercise until conditions improve, according to AirNow. Older adults, kids, teens and people with heart or lung disease are especially susceptible to the effects of the air quality and should consider moving all physical activities indoors and limit time outside.

SEE: Ominous Bay Area Skies Darkened By Smoke Amid Wildfires

Air quality is forecast to improve and move into to the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range by Wednesday and further improve Thursday, moving into the "moderate" zone.

Farther south in Santa Cruz County, air quality is forecast to remain unhealthy for the duration of the week, according to AirNow.

Bay City News contributed to this report.