The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has extended its ongoing Spare the Air Alerts through Friday as the result of smoke from wildfires in Napa and Sonoma counties.
The Glass Fire, which began early Sunday morning in Napa Valley, had burned about 36,000 acres in the North Bay as of 6 p.m. Monday.
The smoke from the fire is expected to impact the air quality in the Bay Area through the end of the week. Residents are advised to stay inside with windows and doors closed, or visit a cooling center if inside temperatures become too hot.
“Smoke from the Glass Fire will continue to impact the region throughout the week,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district. “Residents should monitor air quality closely and avoid exposure if smoke reaches unhealthy levels.”
During a Spare the Air Alert, it is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses in all nine counties to use a wood-burning device, such as a fireplace or wood stove. First-time violations can result in a fine of $100, with second-time violations resulting in a fine of up to $500.
According to the air district, ozone, or smog, can cause respiratory issues, chest pain, and reduce lung capacity in the long-term.
Children, seniors, and those with heart and respiratory conditions are especially at risk and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure to smog.
For current air quality readings, people can visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Fire and Smoke Map at https://bit.ly/2S3mDoI.
Air quality has really deteriorated today. Was a not great 80 something at 8 AM. Now (12:40 pm) backyard sensor reads 198.
One of my HEPA air filter units alerted me this morning that HEPA filters (it has 3, plus a pre clean filter) needed changing. The pristine white-when-new filters were black. Can’t fathom what interior air quality would be without the air filters units.