Third Consecutive 'Spare The Air' Alert Called For Saturday

BAY AREA, CA – Smog from high temperatures and smoke from wildfires are impacting the region, prompting the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to call a third consecutive "Spare the Air" alert for Saturday. Air quality officials have also issued a smoke advisory for the Labor Day weekend.

"Serious air quality impacts are expected throughout the Bay Area due to smog from high temperatures and smoke from wildfires in Northern California and Oregon," Jack Broadbent, executive director of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, said in a statement. “We recommend Bay Area residents avoid unnecessary exposure to unhealthy air by limiting outdoor activities, especially during the hottest part of the day or if they smell smoke.”

This is the 12th time the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has called an alert for smog in 2017.

Spare the Air alerts are issued when smog is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. 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 smog can reduce the functioning of someone's lungs. Smog is particularly harmful to young children, seniors and people with respiratory and heart conditions.

When an alert is called, outdoor exercise should be limited to the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower, according to air quality officials. Residents are also encouraged to consider taking transit or carpooling.

To find out when a Spare the Air alert is in effect, register at www.sparetheair.org, call 800-HELP-AIR, download the Spare the Air smartphone app or connect with Spare the Air on Facebook or Twitter.

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10th 'Spare The Air' Alert Issued In Bay Area

Another 'Spare The Air' Alert Issued For Friday Amid Bay Area Heat Wave

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