Wildfire Smoke Advisory Issued For Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Smoke traveling south from Oregon is expected to arrive in the Bay Area by late Wednesday afternoon and could make for widespread hazy skies and reduced air quality for some through the evening.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an air quality advisory Wednesday, cautioning smoke from the Flat Fire was making its way toward the region. The fire ignited Saturday in Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou Forest and had burned more than 12,700 acres by mid-afternoon Wednesday.

According to the Forest Service, the fire was 0 percent contained Wednesday afternoon, burning through brush, timber and slash as crews battled high winds.

The air district said the smell of smoke would be possible at higher elevations through at least Wednesday evening, especially around the East Bay, North Bay and Santa Clara Valley. Pollutant levels were not projected to exceed the health standard, and a "Spare the Air" alert has not gone into effect.

The agency will be closely monitoring air quality for impacts and shared a few health reminders, particularly for those who are more sensitive to smoke.

"If the smell of smoke is present, it is important that Bay Area residents protect their health by avoiding exposure," the air district wrote Wednesday. "If possible, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside, if temperatures allow. It is also recommended that those impacted by smoke set their air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside."

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.