The deadline to apply to the Air District’s Clean HEET Program has been extended to September 30, 2025. Clean HEET grants are currently available to help offset the cost of switching from wood-burning or pellet-burning stoves, fireplace inserts, or open-hearth fireplaces to an electric heat pump. A decommission-only option is also available for homeowners to remove existing open-hearth fireplaces or older, uncertified wood-burning stoves or inserts.
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Contra Costa County
Learn about Contra Costa County - its climate, potential air pollution concerns, and current air quality. You can also view upcoming Air District events in Contra Costa County and read about local efforts to improve air quality.
Contra Costa County lies east of the San Pablo Bay, bounded by Alameda County to the south, San Joaquin County to the east, and Solano and Sacramento counties to the north. Four representatives sit on the Air District’s Board of Directors.
Latest News
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Air District awards $3.5 million in second cycle of James Cary Smith Community Grant ProgramJuly 28, 2025
The Air District has selected grantees for Cycle 2 of the James Cary Smith Community Grant Program, awarding $3.5 million to 12 community-based and nonprofit organizations across the region.
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The Air District is encouraging residents to prepare for potential smoke impacts this summer to protect their health in the event of widespread unhealthy air quality.
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The Air District and Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson filed a joint civil lawsuit against Radius Recycling, formerly Schnitzer Steel Industries, for air quality violations related to the fire at the company’s facility in West Oakland on August 9-10, 2023. In addition, previous enforcement actions by the Air District and the district attorney required Radius Recycling to install new equipment that has eliminated hundreds of tons of air pollution and reduced cancer risk by 84 percent since 2022; today the Air District finalized the operating permit for this important equipment.
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Other News Articles
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7/10/2025 Air District issues air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for Thursday and Friday
July 10, 2025
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7/2/2025 Air District urges residents to skip the sparklers this Fourth of July
July 2, 2025
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6/23/2025 Air District extends air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Monday
June 23, 2025
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6/22/2025 Air District issues air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for Sunday
June 22, 2025
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6/18/2025 Air District issues air quality advisory for smoke from Somersville brush fire for Wednesday evening
June 18, 2025
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6/12/2025 Air District increases Vehicle Buy Back Program incentive and expands eligibility effective July 1
June 12, 2025
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6/10/2025 Air District and Chevron reach settlement with enhanced requirements for air monitoring and transparency
June 10, 2025
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6/4/2025 Air District allocates $1.3 million to improve air quality in West Contra Costa County schools
June 4, 2025
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6/4/2025 Air District extends air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Thursday
June 4, 2025
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6/3/2025 Air District extends air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Wednesday
June 3, 2025
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6/2/2025 Air District issues air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for Monday and Tuesday
June 2, 2025
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5/31/2025 Air District issues air quality advisory due to flaring at Chevron Refinery
May 31, 2025
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5/29/2025 Air District issues Spare the Air Alert for Friday
May 29, 2025
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5/21/2025 Air District Releases Draft Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan
May 21, 2025
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5/14/2025 Air District opens funding opportunity for zero-emission transport refrigeration units
May 14, 2025
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5/6/2025 Air District Issues 3 Notices of Violation to Valero as a result of the May 5 fire
May 6, 2025
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5/5/2025 Air quality advisory for smoke from fire at Valero
May 5, 2025
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5/5/2025 Spare the Air smog season begins
May 5, 2025
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5/1/2025 Air District Issues 18 Notices of Violation to Martinez Refining Company as a result of the February 1 fire
May 1, 2025
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5/1/2025 Air District Soliciting Applications for Community Advisory Council Seats
May 1, 2025
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4/30/2025 Apply now to join the Community Workgroup for the Refinery Community Particle Fallout Sampling Program
April 30, 2025
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4/23/2025 Air District fines Kinder Morgan, Inc. $226,990 for air quality violations
April 23, 2025
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4/7/2025 Air District to host virtual webinar overview of the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
April 7, 2025
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3/27/2025 Point Richmond and North Richmond Odor
March 27, 2025
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3/25/2025 Air District asks community members to help shape how millions in community funds are spent
March 25, 2025
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3/21/2025 Join Webinar to Explore Careers at the Air District
March 21, 2025
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3/13/2025 Air District’s Clean HEET Program now accepting applications
March 13, 2025
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3/5/2025 Air District launches Charge! Program, expanding Bay Area access to electric vehicle chargers
March 5, 2025
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3/3/2025 Notice Regarding Fraudulent Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program Letters
March 3, 2025
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2/13/2025 MRC Refinery Fire Information
February 13, 2025
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2/1/2025 Air quality advisory for smoke from fire at MRC Refinery in Martinez
February 1, 2025
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1/28/2025 Air District asks public not to light firecrackers and fireworks or burn wood over Lunar New Year holiday
January 28, 2025
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1/22/2025 Air District launches new name and branding
January 22, 2025
Climate
Temperatures in and around the San Ramon and Diablo Valleys are warm in the summer and cool in the winter, largely because of their distance from the moderating effect of water bodies and because the California Coast Range blocks marine air flow into the valleys. The Carquinez Strait region remains temperate due to its proximity to water and oceanic air flows. In winter, average daily temperatures are mild, with tule fog common at night. Average summer temperatures are typically mild overnight and warm during the day, with cooler temperatures and stronger winds more common along the western coast. Wind speeds are generally low throughout the region and winds typically blow from northwest to southwest. However, strong afternoon gusts are common in the northern portion of the county around the Carquinez Strait. Annual rainfall averages between 18 and 23 inches across the county.
Interactive Air Monitoring Stations Map
Air Quality in Contra Costa County
Ozone and fine particle pollution, or PM2.5, are the major regional air pollutants of concern in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ozone is primarily a problem in the summer, and fine particle pollution in the winter.
Ozone and PM2.5 infrequently exceed health standards in the portion of Contra Costa County west of the East Bay hills. The San Francisco Bay keeps air temperatures above freezing in winter and well below 100 degrees on even the warmest summer days.
In eastern Contra Costa County, summer afternoon temperatures frequently approach triple digits, spurring ozone levels to exceed health standards. In winter, PM2.5 can be transported westward through the Carquinez Strait from the Central Valley where it adds to wood smoke, causing health standards to be exceeded.
Spare the Air Status
Last Updated: 4/21/2017