Date
Thursday, October 01, 2020
The Air District is extending the Spare the Air Alert due to wildfire smoke from the Glass Fire in Napa and Sonoma counties through Tuesday, October 6, which bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors. Wildfire smoke combined with high inland temperatures and vehicle exhaust may also cause unhealthy smog, or ozone, accumulation in the Bay Area.
Wildfire smoke from the Glass Fire in the North Bay, in addition to smoke from other northern California fires, will continue to impact the region. High temperatures and tailpipe exhaust are also expected to cause unhealthy ozone, or smog levels as well. 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.
Spare the Air Alerts are issued when ozone or particulate matter pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. If smoke reaches unhealthy levels, 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 allow. If temperatures are too hot indoors, visit an air-cooling center or other building that provides filtered air. It is also recommended that those impacted by smoke set their 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.
Ozone, or smog, can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain, trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema. Long-term exposure to ozone can reduce lung function. Ozone pollution is particularly harmful for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions. When a Spare the Air Alert is issued, outdoor exercise should be done only in the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower.
Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Fire and Smoke Map for current air quality readings.
A list of simple things the public can do to reduce air pollution:
- Reduce driving
- Avoid using gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers
- Cook indoors, not on the barbecue
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: 10/1/2020