East Bay Residents Urged to Protect Themselves from Gap Fire Smoke

Bay Area residents may be affected today and Thursday by smoke from the Gap Fire in Siskiyou County, Bay Area Air Quality Management District officials said.

Meteorologists expect the air to be unhealthy for anyone sensitive to smog and smoke Wednesday. A Spare the Air Alert is in effect, and air district officials are encouraging people to get where they are going using some means other than driving alone.

Conditions will improve somewhat on Thursday, but residents are urged to take precautions as skies may be hazy and smell like smoke. Air district officials suggest residents who smell smoke to limit outdoor activities, set home and car air conditioning units to re-circulate and remain indoors with the doors and windows closed if possible.

Smoke can irritate a person's eyes and airways, cause coughing, irritate sinuses and cause a scratchy throat.
Particulate matter in the air can also cause a person with asthma to wheeze. Seniors, children and people with respiratory illnesses are particularly sensitive to higher air pollution levels and should be extra
cautious, according to air district officials.

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy Jill Hoyman