Smoky Skies Extend Bay Area Air Quality Advisory

BAY AREA, CA — The Bay Area Air Quality Management District on Tuesday extended an air quality advisory through Wednesday due to smoke from the Mineral Fire in Fresno County and the Hog and Gold Fires in Lassen County.

Smoke will likely remain aloft resulting in smoky and hazy skies, but airborne particulate matter is not expected to exceed the national 24-hour standard, according to the air district, the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the nine-county Bay Area. Air quality is expected to be in the good to moderate range.

The air district plans to closely monitor air quality throughout the region for smoke impacts from the fires.

"If the smell of smoke is present, it is important that Bay Area residents protect their health by avoiding exposure," air district officials said. "If possible, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside, if temperatures allow. It is also recommended that those impacted by smoke set their air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside."

Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a dry scratchy throat and irritated sinuses, air district officials said. Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing for people with asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).