Smoke from the Point Fire to impact portions of the Bay Area through Monday
SAN FRANCISCO – The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is issuing a Spare the Air Alert for wildfire smoke for Sunday, June 16, and Monday, June 17.
Air quality is forecast to be unhealthy today and tomorrow due to smoke from the Point Fire in northern Sonoma County. Hazy skies may be visible, the smell of smoke is possible and air quality may be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy range on the Air Quality Index in portions of the North Bay and Contra Costa County. Check the U.S. EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map to see if smoke is affecting your area at: https://fire.airnow.gov/ .
It is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to use their fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning devices during a Spare the Air Alert for particle pollution.
Spare the Air Alerts are issued when ozone or particulate matter pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. When air quality is unhealthy, it is important that Bay Area residents protect their health by avoiding exposure. If possible, and temperatures allow, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside. It is recommended to set car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside. The use of indoor air filtration or going to a Clean Air Center or other location with filtered air, such as a library or mall, can also help reduce smoke exposure.
Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a dry scratchy throat and irritated sinuses. Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing in those who suffer from asthma, emphysema or COPD. Elderly persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure.
Bay Area residents can find out if a Spare the Air Alert is in effect by:
- Signing up for text alerts. To sign up, text the word “START” to the number 81757
- Calling 1-877-4NO-BURN
- Visiting www.sparetheair.org or www.baaqmd.gov
- Signing up for automatic e-mail or phone alerts at www.sparetheair.org/alerts
- Downloading the Spare the Air iPhone or Android app
For more information about Spare the Air, visit www.sparetheair.org .
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- June 7 – Firefighters Battling Vegetation Fire in Brentwood
- May 25, 2024 – Firefighters Battle Vegetation Fire Threatening Homes in Antioch
- May 23, 2024 – Contra Costa County Firefighters Battle Multiple Vegetation Fires
- May 7, 2024 – Firefighters Limit Damages During Brentwood Fire
- March 8, 2024 – Contra Costa Fire Battling 3-Alarm Vegetation Fire