Air Quality Advisory Extended Due To Wildfire Smoke In Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA – Smoke from wildfires in southern Oregon prompted the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to extend an air quality advisory through Friday throughout the Bay Area.

Air quality will be impacted in parts of the Bay Area as light winds are expected to bring smoke from wildfires into the region, according to the air district.

"Although fine particulate concentrations may rise and visibility may be impacted, air quality is expected to remain in the moderate range," air district officials said. "The air district is not forecasting an exceedance of the federal air quality health standard for the region and is not issuing a Spare the Air Alert."

If it smells smoky outside, people should stay indoors with windows and doors closed, according to the air district. Residents should also set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from coming inside.

Smoky conditions can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat and irritated sinuses. Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing in people who suffer from asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure, air district officials said.

Click here for real-time air quality readings.

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