Wildfire Smoke Triggers Air Quality Advisory In Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA — Smoke from a wildfire in Northern California prompted the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to issue an air quality advisory through Monday for the San Francisco Bay Area.

"Smoke from the Park Fire is expected to impact air quality in parts of the Bay Area today and tomorrow," air district officials said Sunday in a news release. "Hazy skies may be visible and the smell of smoke is possible at high elevations."

Despite hazy skies, air quality is expected to remain in the Good to Moderate categories on the Air Quality Index, according to the air district, the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the nine-county Bay Area.

The air district advised residents to stay inside with windows and doors closed if it smells smoky outside. Residents should also set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from coming inside.

"Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter and other harmful pollutants," officials said. "Exposure to wildfire smoke is unhealthy, even for short periods of time."

Smoke 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.

See real-time air quality readings.