Spare The Air Alert Issued Due To Bay Area Heat, Wildfire Smoke

SAN FRANCISCO — The Bay Area will be under its fourth "Spare the Air" alert of the season Friday as the next summer heat wave gets underway.

In a news release Thursday, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District pointed to hot inland temperatures and continuing smoke impacts from the Flat Fire in Oregon that, joined with vehicle exhaust, could lend to elevated ozone levels and unhealthy air.

The fire burning in southwest Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou Forest ignited Saturday afternoon and had grown to 15,217 acres by Thursday afternoon. Smoke drifting southward triggered local advisories Wednesday and Thursday.

"The Air District will be closely monitoring air quality throughout the region for smoke impacts from this and other fires," the agency wrote Thursday. "If the smell of smoke is present, it is important that Bay Area residents protect their health by avoiding exposure."

Ozone pollution can cause throat irritation, congestion and chest pain, trigger asthma and inflame the lungs. The effects can be especially harmful to children, seniors and people with respiratory or heart conditions.

On "Spare the Air" days, officials recommend outdoor exercise is limited to the early morning when ozone levels are lower. Commuters are also encouraged to consider carpooling or using public transit to cut down on vehicle exhaust.

Residents can check live air quality readings on the air district's website and track the smoke's spread using the EPA's AirNow map.