Smoky South Bay Air Raises Health Concerns

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — A Spare the Air Alert for the San Francisco Bay Area has been extended through Sunday as smoke from various wildfires continue to impact the air quality throughout the region and the South Bay in particular, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

According to the BAAQMD’S four-day air quality index, the AQI for the Santa Clara Valley is forecast to be unhealthy for all groups on Friday and Saturday with fine particulate matter measurements projected to be over 150 on both days.

The poor air quality is a significant health concern, Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara Chief of Pulmonary Medicine Dr. Tom Dailey told The San Jose Mercury News.

“This air quality is absolutely terrible,” Daily told The Mercury News.

“It can cause extreme health problems for everyone. Everyone.”

Air quality is expected to improve slightly on Sunday, when according to the BAAQMD forecast fine particulate matter readings are projected to dip below the 150 mark, with conditions unhealthy for those in sensitive groups. On Monday and Tuesday AQI readings are expected to drop below 100 into the moderate range.

According to the air alert: "Concentrations of particulate matter pollution are forecast to be unhealthy. High levels of particulate matter pollution are harmful to breathe, especially for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions. Protect your health by staying indoors and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities."

During this Spare the Air Alert, it is illegal for Bay Area residents or businesses to burn wood or manufactured firelogs in fireplaces, wood stoves or inserts, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits, or any other wood-burning devices.