Community Corner
Unhealthy Air In Napa Valley, Bay Area Expected Through Tuesday
All Napa Valley Unified schools are closed Friday because of the unhealthy air.
NAPA VALLEY, CA — Winter Spare the Air Alerts will continue through next Tuesday in Napa Valley and throughout much of the Bay Area as a result of smoky conditions caused by the Camp Fire in Butte County, according to regional air quality officials.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District all week has issued the alerts, which prohibit the burning of wood and other solid fuels, and district officials said the bad air quality will continue into next week.
Thursday, the particulate matter pollution — or PM2.5— in Napa in the district's Northern Zone was registering between 151 and 167.
Find out what's happening in Napa Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A PM2.5 of 151 or greater is considered unhealthy.
"It is critical that Bay Area residents not burn wood and further contribute to the unhealthy air quality we are experiencing," air district executive officer Jack Broadbent said in a statement.
Find out what's happening in Napa Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Air district officials said people should limit outdoor activity as much as possible when the alerts are in effect and that new N95 or greater respirator masks should be used if possible when outdoors.
As a result of the unhealthy air, Napa Valley Unified administrators have decided to close all district schools Friday.
"In light of the cumulative physical effects of several days of unhealthy air quality and the mental and emotional impacts on our students of being asked to stay indoors without physical activity, NVUSD schools will be closed on Friday, Nov. 16," administrators said.
"The athletics staff will follow NCS guidelines for competitions and practices, and athletes will be notified by coaches directly.
"As you know, next week, Nov. 19 through Nov. 23, is Thanksgiving break. We are hopeful that the firefighters are able to contain the Camp Fire and that our air quality improves significantly over the holiday week. Best wishes for a peaceful holiday to all of our NVUSD families."
- Poor Bay Area Air Quality Closes Colleges, Universities
- Death Toll Climbs To 56 In Camp Fire, 130 Unaccounted For
By Bay City News Service and Patch local editor Maggie Avants
Image via Baaqmd.gov
