Date

Friday, September 18, 2020

The Air District is issuing a Spare the Air Alert for wildfire smoke for Saturday, September 19, 2020.

Spare the Air Status

Tomorrow, northerly winds are expected to bring smoke from fires in northern California into the North Bay, Eastern Contra Costa County and the Livermore Valley causing unhealthy air quality. 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 particulate pollution.

"While the last two days brought a much-needed respite from the poor air quality the Bay Area has endured for the past month, air quality is again expected to be unhealthy due to continued impacts from wildfires," said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. "Residents should stay vigilant, track air quality conditions in their communities and head indoors if air pollution reaches unhealthy levels to protect their health."

Spare the Air Alerts are issued when ozone or particulate matter pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. If 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 an air-cooling center or other building that provides filtered air. It is also recommended that Bay Area residents set air conditioning units and 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. Elderly 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 when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect, residents can sign up for text alerts by texting the word “START” to 817-57, register for email AirAlerts at www.sparetheair.org, call 1(800) HELP-AIR, download the Spare the Air App or connect with Spare the Air on Facebook or Twitter.

Check the Air District's Current Air Quality page for real-time air quality readings.

View press release.

View Wildfire Safety web page.

Last Updated: 9/18/2020