The Air District is issuing a Spare the Air Alert for Thursday, February 5, which bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors.
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Advisory
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Odor/Flaring Advisory
Valero Refinery in Benicia notified the Air District of continued refinery equipment shutdowns beginning 2/5. Odors and/or flaring may occur. Air District inspectors will be closely monitoring. Report air quality complaints: 800-334-ODOR or online.
Advisory
Odor/Flaring Advisory
Valero Refinery in Benicia notified the Air District of continued refinery equipment shutdowns beginning 2/5. Odors and/or flaring may occur. Air District inspectors will be closely monitoring. Report air quality complaints: 800-334-ODOR or online.
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Sonoma County
Learn about Sonoma County - its climate, potential air pollution concerns, and current air quality. You can also view upcoming Air District events in Sonoma County and read about local efforts to improve air quality.
Sonoma County lies to the west of Lake and Napa counties, north of Marin County, and south of Mendocino County. The Air District only has jurisdiction over the southern portion of the county, which includes Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and Sonoma. Two Sonoma County representatives sit on the Air District’s Board of Directors.
Latest News
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Air District Board approves new grant program to reinvest penalty funds in impacted communitiesJanuary 29, 2026
The Air District's Board of Directors has approved the grant guidelines for the Local Community Benefits Fund, marking a major milestone for the Bay Reinvesting Penalties for Air Improvement and Resilience program, or Bay REPAIR program. The program will begin accepting grant applications on Jan. 29, 2026, opening a new opportunity for community-led projects that reduce air pollution, improve public health and strengthen community resilience in Benicia, Richmond and surrounding communities.
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Air District’s Clean HEET Program now accepting applicationsJanuary 20, 2026
The Air District’s Clean HEET Program is now accepting applications for grants that can help to 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. Switching to an electric heat pump helps improve air quality in communities by replacing polluting wood-burning devices with cleaner heating options.
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The Air District is extending a Spare the Air Alert through Sunday, January 18, which bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors. A Spare the Air Alert remains in effect today, Saturday, January 17.
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Upcoming Events
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Other News Articles
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12/23/2025 Air District has fined Martinez Refining Company and required enhanced air monitoring data transparency
December 23, 2025
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12/2/2025 Air District fines Chevron $900,000 for air monitoring violations
December 2, 2025
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11/25/2025 Spare the Air Alerts issued for Wednesday & Thanksgiving Day due to wood smoke pollution. Use of all wood-burning devices is prohibited.
November 25, 2025
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11/19/2025 Public Comment Deadline – Draft Local Community Benefits Fund Guidelines (Nov 25 at 5 PM)
November 19, 2025
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11/18/2025 Air District launches commercial electric lawn and garden equipment exchange
November 18, 2025
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11/13/2025 Air District highlights Bay Area leadership and global collaboration at COP30
November 13, 2025
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11/5/2025 Air District awards $3 million to deploy new electric vehicle chargers in Richmond
November 5, 2025
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10/28/2025 Air District fines Republic Services $159,000 for landfill gas violations
October 28, 2025
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10/27/2025 Air District issues prescribed burn notice for October 27-31
October 27, 2025
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10/22/2025 Air District awards $5M to electrify special education school buses
October 22, 2025
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10/17/2025 Air District issues prescribed burn notice for October 17 - 24, 2025
October 17, 2025
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10/9/2025 Air District fines Marathon Martinez Refinery $372,550 for violations
October 9, 2025
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10/1/2025 Air District Board adopts wood burning and prescribed burning amendments to protect public health and reduce wildfire risk
October 1, 2025
Climate
Sonoma County’s climate is largely affected by the topography of the Petaluma, Cotati, and Sonoma valleys. Temperatures are similar in the Petaluma and Cotati valleys, while Sonoma Valley temperatures are warmer, similar to Napa Valley. Average daily temperatures range from moderate overnight to hot during the day in the summer, and cool overnight to moderate during the day in the winter. Wind patterns in the Petaluma and Cotati valleys are strongly influenced by the Petaluma Gap, with calm to mild winds typical in both Santa Rosa and Petaluma. During late afternoons in summer, fog is common in the Petaluma and Cotati valleys, and can persist until late morning the following day. Sunshine in the Sonoma Valley is plentiful. Annual rainfall ranges from 24 inches in Petaluma, 29 inches in Sonoma, and 30 inches in Santa Rosa.
Interactive Air Monitoring Stations Map
Air Quality in Sonoma 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.
Although much of the interior of Sonoma County can get quite hot during summer, air monitoring results show that this area experiences some of the lowest ozone levels in the entire Bay Area. Gaps in the hills to the west allow fresh marine air inland on all but the hottest summer days.
PM2.5 can become elevated, particularly due to wood burning during the holiday season, but once again, air monitoring results show that this region has some of the lowest levels of PM2.5 in the entire Bay Area.
Spare the Air Status
Last Updated: 4/21/2017