11 Jul Air Quality Advisory in Effect Through Friday Due to Wildfire Smoke Drifting From Sacramento Valley

(Bay Area Air District via Bay City News)

By Bay City News

Smoke from wildfires burning in the northern Sacramento Valley may bring hazy skies and unhealthy air to parts of the Bay Area through Friday, air district officials said.

The Bay Area Air District issued an air quality advisory on Thursday due to smoke from the Butler and Green wildfires.

The smoky haze could linger over the eastern part of the Bay Area down to Santa Clara Valley on Thursday and Friday, according to the air district.

Air quality can be checked for smoke pollution at the U.S. EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ .

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulates and other harmful pollutants and exposure is unhealthy, even for short periods of time, air district officials said.

When possible, residents are advised to stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside.

Motorists should set their car vents to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside.

Indoor air filtration or going to a Clean Air Center or other site with filtered air, such as a library or mall, can also help.

Smoke can irritate eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat and irritated sinuses. Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing in those who suffer from asthma, emphysema or COPD. Elderly persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure, according to the air district.

Since pollutant levels are not expected to exceed the national 24-hour health standard a Spare the Air Alert is not in effect.

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