Air District issues Spare the Air Alert for Thursday and Friday due to smoke from the Woodside Fire. Use of all wood-burning devices is prohibited.

Air quality is expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Very Unhealthy range on the U.S. EPA’s Air Quality Index in the North Bay, especially Sonoma County. Some smoke impacts are possible across the Bay Area through Friday. 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.

The Air District will be closely monitoring air quality throughout the region for smoke impacts from this fire. The public can check their local air quality on the U.S. EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

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, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside. If temperatures are too hot indoors, visit a cooling center or other building that provides filtered air. It is also recommended that Bay Area residents set car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside.

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. Older persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure.

To find out if a Spare the Air Alert is in effect:

• Sign up for text alerts. To sign up, text “START” to 81757
• Call 1-877-4NO-BURN
• Visit www.sparetheair.org or www.baaqmd.gov
• Sign up for e-mail or phone alerts at www.sparetheair.org/alerts
• Download the Spare the Air iPhone or Android app

View press release(206 Kb PDF, 2 pgs, posted 30/07/2026).