Hanapin

The Air District's Board of Directors has adopted two new regulations to further tighten air pollution controls on petroleum operations at Bay Area refineries. Regulation 9, Rule 14 reduces sulfur dioxide emissions from the largest Bay Area source, coke calcining. Regulation 12, Rule 15 is a first-of-its-kind requirement that will better enable the Air District to track refinery emissions as changes are made at the facilities.

The Air District's Board of Directors approved $3 million in funding for the upgrade of wood-burning devices with cleaner heating options. Incentives for this program are expected to be available later this summer. The funding will provide assistance for potentially up to 1,300 Bay Area households to replace older, more polluting fireplaces or wood stoves with cleaner electric heat pumps, or natural gas or propane stoves or inserts.

The Air District is extending a Spare the Air Alert for smoke through tomorrow, Saturday, October 26, for the entire the region. The Air District is closely monitoring smoke impacts from the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County and the northern portion of the Bay Area is currently experiencing smoke impacts. Additional smoke impacts are expected to spread across the region starting this afternoon as smoke mixes down to the surface.

The Air District is extending the Spare the Air Alert for smog through Monday, September 6, in addition to the air quality advisory for smoke that is also in place through Monday. Wildfire smoke combined with high inland temperatures and vehicle exhaust are expected to cause unhealthy smog, or ozone, accumulation in the Bay Area. Smoke from Northern California wildfires is expected to continue to impact the region creating hazy and smoky skies.

The Air District is issuing a Spare the Air Alert for smog for Sunday, September 5, in addition to the air quality advisory for smoke that is in place through Monday, September 6. Wildfire smoke combined with high inland temperatures and vehicle exhaust are expected to cause unhealthy smog, or ozone, accumulation in the Bay Area. Smoke from Northern California wildfires is expected to continue to impact the region creating hazy and smoky skies. 

The Air District is extending the current air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Monday, September 27. An air quality advisory is currently in place for Saturday, September 25. Smoke from fires in Southern and Central California is expected to continue to impact the Bay Area through Monday with smoky and hazy skies. Pollution levels are not expected to exceed federal health standards and no Spare the Air Alert is in effect. 

The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for Monday, October 4. Smoke from wildfires in Southern California is expected to continue impacting the Bay Area on Monday with smoky and hazy skies. Pollution levels are not expected to exceed federal health standards and no Spare the Air Alert is in effect for Monday. A Spare the Air Alert for ozone, or smog, remains in effect for Sunday, October 3.

The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for tomorrow, Monday, July 11. Smoke from the Washburn Fire is forecast to be transported into the Bay Area and is expected to impact the North and East Bay regions. However, pollutant levels are not expected to exceed the federal health standard. A Spare the Air Alert is not in effect and air quality is expected to be in the moderate range.

The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for smoke for the entire Bay Area region on Sunday, October 27 through Monday, October 28.

The Air District is extending an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through tomorrow, Saturday, September 10. Smoke from wildfires in California and Oregon is expected to continue to impact the Bay Area through Saturday, but pollutant levels are not expected to exceed the national 24-hour health standard. A Spare the Air Alert is not in effect. Smoky, hazy skies may be visible and the smell of smoke may be present. 

The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for tomorrow, Friday, September 9. Smoke from wildfires in California and Oregon is expected to impact the Bay Area through Friday, but pollutant levels are not expected to exceed the national 24-hour health standard. A Spare the Air Alert is not in effect on Friday. Smoky, hazy skies may be visible and the smell of smoke may be present. 

The Air District is closely monitoring flaring at the Chevron Refinery in Richmond and has issued an air quality advisory as localized smoke impacts are possible near and downwind of the facility, including the Contra Costa County cities of Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, and Hercules, as well as Solano County. This is based on current meteorological conditions which can change depending on the duration of the flaring. Residents should follow instructions from local health officials.

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.

The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for Monday, August 23. Smoke from wildfires in Northern California is predicted to impact the Bay Area on Monday. Lofted smoke is expected to cause hazy and smoky skies but pollution levels are not expected to exceed federal health standards and no Spare the Air Alert is in effect. Air quality is expected to be in the good to moderate range on the Air Quality Index. 

The Air District is extending an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke through Tuesday, August 24. Smoke from wildfires across California is predicted to continue to impact the Bay Area on Tuesday. Lofted smoke is expected to cause hazy and smoky skies but pollution levels are not expected to exceed federal health standards and no Spare the Air Alert is in effect. Air quality is expected to be in the good to moderate range on the Air Quality Index. 

The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for Wednesday, July 15, due to smoke from the Mineral Fire that started Monday evening in Fresno County. Smoke from the fire is expected to impact the Bay Area starting tomorrow morning when winds are predicted to shift, bringing smoke into the South Bay and moving north later Wednesday. Smoke will likely remain aloft, resulting in smoky, hazy skies but ground-level air quality is not expected to be impacted. 

The Air District is announcing the launch of the Charge! Program’s grant application process to access at least $10 million in grant funding to offset the cost of purchasing and installing new chargers for light-duty electric vehicles at multi-family housing facilities, destinations, transit parking locations, and workplaces across the Bay Area. This funding is available to businesses, homeowner associations, non-profits, public agencies, and tribes. Applications are being accepted now through June 6, 2025, at 5PM.

The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for wildfire smoke for Friday and Saturday, August 27 and 28. Smoke from wildfires across California is predicted to impact the Bay Area on Friday and Saturday. Lofted smoke is expected to cause hazy and smoky skies, but pollution levels are not expected to exceed federal health standards and no Spare the Air Alert is in effect. Air quality is expected to be in the moderate range on the Air Quality Index. 

Air quality in the Bay Area is forecast to be in the good range.  Winds are currently blowing smoke from the Wragg fire burning near Lake Berryessa to the north and east of our region. Smoky conditions have been observed in Yolo County and parts of the Sacramento region.

The Air District is sending representatives to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11 through November 22. Air District Board of Directors Chair Davina Hurt and Executive Officer Dr. Philip Fine will hold a virtual press conference on Tuesday, November 19 at 10 AM. Bay Area residents are invited to join the discussion, ask questions and share their concerns by connecting with the Air District on Facebook during the livestream press conference.