'Severe Smoke' Impacting Entire Bay Area From Multiple Wildfires

Bay Area residents are being urged to stay indoors if possible on Tuesday and limit any outdoor activities as heavy smoke blankets the region from a firestorm in the region. Tens of thousands of acres have been burned in the current large fires, spread out across Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yuba, Butte, Nevada, Calaveras and Mendocino counties.

"The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is issuing a smoke advisory for a second day due to smoke from multiple fires that continue to burn in Sonoma and Napa counties," the agency said in a news release Tuesday. "Heavy smoke from wildfires is causing very unhealthy air quality throughout the region. Air quality will be variable while there are active fires in the region and shifting winds."

The map below, from the Environmental Protection Agency, shows the air quality index levels for the Bay Area. As you can see, most of the area is at least in the red zone, which is "unhealthy." The North Bay area falls into the "very unhealthy" purple category, while those in the East and South bays appear to have the best of the current air quality, at a "moderate" — or yellow — level.

Also See: Southern California Wildfire Remains Active

Air quality and sheriff's officials officials recommend the following:

• Limit outdoor activities to avoid unnecessary exposure if you smell smoke.
• Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to recirculate to prevent outside air from moving inside.
• Do not run swamp coolers. They will pull smoky air in from outside.
• Masks do not protect your lungs from smoke particles.
• Reduce exposure to smoky air by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed, if possible.
• If you cannot keep windows and doors closed due to high temperatures, seek out cooling centers in your area.
• Stay tuned to local media for changes in smoke or weather conditions.

Those who suffer from asthma, emphysema or COPD are most at risk as the smoke is in the air, and officials say the elevated particle matter in the air can trigger wheezing.

"Elderly persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure," the BAQMD said.

SEE ALSO: Calif. Fire Summary, Map, Stats: 115,000+ Acres Burn In 17 Major Blazes Are Sparked In 1 Day

Photo: People take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge as smoke from wildfires covers the San Francisco skyline Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, in this view near Sausalito, California. Credit: Eric Risberg