Heat and wildfire smoke have prompted Spare the Air Alerts today and Saturday, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
The alert means that burning of wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors is prohibited.
“Air quality is expected to deteriorate due to smoke impacts from explosive wildfires across California,” the air district said in a statement. “Air quality is forecast to be ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ on the Air Quality Index in most of the Bay Area with pockets of ‘unhealthy’ air quality at higher altitudes.”
The district added, “It is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to use their fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning devices during a Spare the Air Alert for particle pollution.”
If smoke is present for visible, residents are advised to remain indoors with windows and doors closed until smoke levels reduce. If too hot indoors, visit an air-cooling center or other building providing filtered air.
“It is also recommended that Bay Area residents set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside,” the air district said.
Residents can sign up Spare the Air text alerts by texting the word “START” to 817-57, register for email AirAlerts at www.sparetheair.org, call 1(800) HELP-AIR, download the Spare the Air App or connect with Spare the Air on Facebook or Twitter.
For air quality readings, go to baaqmd.gov/highs.
