Wildfire Smoke Triggers Another Air Quality Advisory In Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA – The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued another advisory, as smoke from wildfires may continue to impact air quality in the San Francisco Bay Area. The air quality advisory is in effect through Tuesday.

The northern and eastern counties of the Bay Area may experience hazy air quality conditions starting Monday because of smoke from wildfires in Northern California and southern Oregon, according to the air district. While smoke may be visible in the sky for the next few days, it is not forecast to affect air quality at ground level or mountain elevations, so the air district did not issue a Spare the Air alert.

If Bay Area residents smell smoke, they are encouraged to stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside, air district officials said. The air district also advises setting 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.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo by Ashley Ludwig/Patch