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Wildfires Threaten Air Quality For Bay Area

Residents were urged to avoid outdoor activity when smelling smoke as lightning strikes and wildfires continue to hamper air quality.

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Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. Numerous lightning strikes early Sunday sparked brush fires throughout the region.
Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. Numerous lightning strikes early Sunday sparked brush fires throughout the region. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

A dangerous combination of excessive heat, lightning strikes and wildfires threatened the Bay Area's air quality over the weekend. Residents were to take caution Sunday by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Although the Air Quality Index scale only showed moderate air pollution in the San Francisco Bay Area Sunday afternoon, those who smell smoke were encouraged to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity outside.

According to the National Weather Service, vegetation fires that burned in the South, North and East Bay Areas throughout the day were caused by lightning strikes. Residents can expect another round of lightning Sunday night.

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A Red Flag Warning that was issued yesterday for extreme burning conditions and dry lightning remains in effect through Monday morning.

Find out what's happening in San Franciscofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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