SAN FRANCISCO – The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is extending the Spare the Air Alert
that is in place today, Saturday, August 28, through tomorrow, Sunday, August 29, due to wildfire
smoke. The burning of wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors
is prohibited.
Air quality is expected to generally improve on Sunday due to increasing onshore northwesterly winds.
However, lingering smoke offshore along with smoke already trapped near the surface is expected to
cause isolated unhealth for sensitive groups conditions in the North and East Bay. Good to moderate
air quality is predicted for other parts of the Bay Area.
“Unfortunately, smoke is again expected to cause unhealthy air quality this weekend due to continued
impacts from wildfires,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. “Residents should stay
vigilant, track local air quality conditions and head indoors if air quality reaches unhealthy levels to
protect their health.”
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.
Spare the Air Alerts are issued when ozone or particulate matter pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy
levels. If the smell of smoke is present or visible, it is important that Bay Area residents protect their
health by avoiding exposure. If possible, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels
subside. If temperatures are too hot indoors, visit an air-cooling center or other building that provides
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.
Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a dry 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.
To find out when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect, residents can sign up for 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.
Check here for air quality readings: baaqmd.gov/highs.
