Air Quality Alert Issued Across Bay Area Due To Wildfire Smoke

BAY AREA — The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an air quality advisory alert Tuesday for the Bay Area due to smoke from the Point Fire, which has burned 1,207 acres around Healdsburg since Sunday. As of Tuesday morning, it is 40% contained, according to Cal Fire.

RELATED: Point Fire Latest: Homes Confirmed Lost, Damage Assessment Continues

Air quality is expected to be “Moderate” in the inner valleys, and worst in Sonoma, Napa, and Solano counties, according to this map from AirNow, the U.S. Air Quality Index Reader. Areas in green, like most of the coast, fall in the “Good” category, yellow signifies a moderate risk, orange means “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” and red means “Unhealthy.”

“Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter and other harmful pollutants. Exposure to wildfire smoke is unhealthy, even for short periods of time,” BAAMQ said in the advisory.

“It is important that Bay Area residents protect their health by avoiding exposure. If possible, and temperatures allow, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside. Residents can also reduce their exposure to smoke by setting their air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside. The use of indoor air filtration or going to a Clean Air Center or other location with filtered air, such as a library or mall, can also help reduce smoke exposure.”

On Sunday and Monday, the entire Bay Area was under 2024’s first Spare the Air Alert, issued when air quality conditions cause pollution levels exceeding federal air quality standards, and it is illegal to burn wood or any other solid fuels. There was no forecast Tuesday, despite the air advisory.

On Monday, the BAAMQ rolled out a new system for email and text notifications about local air quality. Sign up here.

RELATED:

• 19 Photos Show California Wildfires That Exploded Over The Weekend
• Bay Area Fire Evacuations, 1.1K Acres Burns, Smell Of Smoke Widespread