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.
|
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.
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.
-
About the Air District
- Advisory Council
- Air District Leadership
- Air District Logos
- Bay Area Clean Air Foundation
- Board of Directors
- Community Advisory Council
- Contracting Opportunities
- Departments
- Diversity Equity and Inclusion
- Enterprise Systems Catalog
- Hearing Board
- History of Air District
- In Your Community
- Job Opportunities
- Mission Statement
- Office of Civil Rights
- Speakers and Tours
- News & Events
- Online Services
- Publications
- Forms
- Public Records
- Contact Us
- Login
San Mateo County
Learn about San Mateo County - its climate, potential air pollution concerns, and current air quality. You can also view upcoming Air District events in San Mateo County and read about local efforts to improve air quality.
Latest News
-
-
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.
Learn More -
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.
Learn More -
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.
Learn More -
-
-
Upcoming Events
-
FEB112026
-
FEB112026
-
FEB112026
-
FEB182026
-
FEB182026
Other News Articles
-
12/23/2025 Air District has fined Martinez Refining Company and required enhanced air monitoring data transparency
December 23, 2025
-
12/2/2025 Air District fines Chevron $900,000 for air monitoring violations
December 2, 2025
-
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
-
11/19/2025 Public Comment Deadline – Draft Local Community Benefits Fund Guidelines (Nov 25 at 5 PM)
November 19, 2025
-
11/18/2025 Air District launches commercial electric lawn and garden equipment exchange
November 18, 2025
-
11/13/2025 Air District highlights Bay Area leadership and global collaboration at COP30
November 13, 2025
-
11/5/2025 Air District awards $3 million to deploy new electric vehicle chargers in Richmond
November 5, 2025
-
10/28/2025 Air District fines Republic Services $159,000 for landfill gas violations
October 28, 2025
-
10/27/2025 Air District issues prescribed burn notice for October 27-31
October 27, 2025
-
10/22/2025 Air District awards $5M to electrify special education school buses
October 22, 2025
-
10/17/2025 Air District issues prescribed burn notice for October 17 - 24, 2025
October 17, 2025
-
10/9/2025 Air District fines Marathon Martinez Refinery $372,550 for violations
October 9, 2025
-
10/1/2025 Air District Board adopts wood burning and prescribed burning amendments to protect public health and reduce wildfire risk
October 1, 2025
San Mateo County lies in the middle of the San Francisco Peninsula, south of San Francisco County, and north of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and San Francisco Bay to the east. Two San Mateo County representatives sit on the Air District’s Board of Directors.
Climate
Cool, foggy weather is prevalent along the western coast of the peninsula, particularly during the summer. Summertime average daily temperatures are moderate along the west coast and warm in the county’s east side. In the winter, average daily temperatures across the county range from mild to moderate. Winds are mild, with the highest wind speeds focused along the western coast. Rainfall averages about 20 to 25 inches per year at lower elevations and up to 36 inches in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Interactive Air Monitoring Stations Map
Air Quality in San Mateo 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.
In San Mateo County, ozone almost never exceeds health standards, and PM2.5 exceeds the national standard only on about one day each year. San Mateo County frequently receives fresh marine air from the Pacific Ocean, which passes over the coastal hills. In winter, PM2.5 may be transported into San Mateo County from other parts of the Bay Area, adding to wood smoke, which may lead to elevated concentrations, but these are rarely high enough to exceed health standards.
Spare the Air Status
Last Updated: 4/21/2017