Spare The Air Alert Extended For Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA—A Spare the Air Alert was extended for Tuesday and Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area because ground-level ozone pollution concentrations were expected to remain unhealthy.

"Very high inland temperatures and weak offshore winds, along with motor vehicle exhaust, will continue to create elevated concentrations of ozone, or smog," according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the nine-county Bay Area.

A National Weather Service excessive heat warning is in effect through 11 p.m. Wednesday. Temperatures are forecast to reach 110 in inland areas and 95 in coastal areas.

According to the air district, high levels of ozone pollution are harmful to breathe, especially for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions. Residents can protect their health by avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.

On "Spare the Air" days, the air district asks Bay Area residents to improve air quality by working remotely, taking transit, walking or biking to work — and driving less daily.