Wildfires In NorCal, Washington & Oregon Contribute To Unhealthy Air Across Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA — The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued Spare the Air Alerts through Friday as wildfire smoke continues to affect air quality throughout the Bay Area.

During a Spare the Air Alert, it is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to use their fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning devices that contribute to particle pollution.

Previously, an air quality advisory was in place but was upgraded Thursday to Spare the Air Alerts because the air district expects the air quality to continue to deteriorate as explosive wildfires burn in Washington, Oregon and Northern California.

The wildfires have generated a large smoke plume covering nearly the entire state of California and hundreds of miles offshore, the air district said Thursday in a news release. Air quality is expected to degrade to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" Air Quality Index levels in most of the Bay Area with pockets of "unhealthy" air quality at higher altitudes.

"Multiple wildfires burning on the West Coast are expected to cause unhealthy air quality throughout the region,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. "As respiratory health is top of mind for all of us during the pandemic, it’s crucial that residents take steps to avoid exposure to unhealthy air.”

Until smoke levels subside, Bay Area residents are encouraged to protect their health by staying inside, if possible, with windows and doors closed. If temperatures are too hot indoors, the air district suggests visiting an air-cooling center or other building that provides filtered air.

Bay Area residents should also set their air-conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside, according to the air district.

"Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a dry scratchy throat and irritated sinuses," the air district said. "Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing in those who suffer from asthma, emphysema or COPD. Elderly persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure."