'Spare The Air' Alert Extended For Bay Area Amid Heat, Smoke

BAY AREA, CA — Wildfire smoke combined with scorching inland temperatures and tailpipe exhaust continued to hamper air quality in the Bay Area on Saturday, prompting officials to extend a Spare the Air Alert through Sunday, officials said.

The volatile combination of such pollutants was expected to cause unhealthy smog, ozone and accumulation in the Bay Area. Smoke traveling from both northern and Southern California wildfires was expected to impact air quality, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District said Saturday.

Residents can help offset unhealthy air pollution levels by walking, cycling or taking public transit, air officials said.

"High temperatures, tailpipe exhaust and wildfire smoke will continue to cause poor air quality this weekend," Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District, said in a statement. "We can all do our part by driving less to reduce smog and improve air quality this weekend."

Such alerts are issued when ozone pollution has the potential to reach unhealthy levels, officials said. Ozone and elevated smog is known to cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain and can trigger asthma. Smoke can also inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema. Long-term exposure can reduce lung function.

Ozone, or smog, can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain, trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema. Long-term exposure to ozone can reduce lung function, officials said.

"Ozone pollution is particularly harmful for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions," Air District officials said in a stement. "When a Spare the Air Alert is issued, outdoor exercise should be done only in the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower."

If the smell of smoke is present, Bay Area residents are urged to heae inside and close the windows and doors until the smoke clears. Residents can find air quality readings here.

More than 9,500 firefighters remained on the front lines of California's 11 major wildfires on Friday. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 7,769 wildfires that have burned more than 2.4 million acres in California.