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Bay Area 'Spare The Air Day' Declared

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Officials have issued a pair of warnings for those who are enjoying the long holiday weekend outdoors in the Bay Area

Temperatures are expected to climb into the triple digits in some inland spots on Sunday.

"We do have a heat advisory for the inland portions of the Bay Area," said meteorologist Duane Dykema. "We issue those when we believe that people susceptible to heat may be in danger."

Officials with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District have also declared Sunday a Spare the Air Day in the nine county Bay Area.

"On Spare the Air days, ozone levels get high and they usually peak in the afternoon," said Aaron Richardson with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. "We are really encouraging children, the elderly and anyone with respiratory conditions not to be outside exercising vigorously."

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

Richardson said there are several things people can do to help with the air quality in the Bay Area.

"The single most important thing people can do is reduce their driving, because driving counts for more than 50 percent of the air pollution. People are going to be out and about, but if they can use public transportation or even bike or walk if they're going to nearby events, that makes the most difference in terms of air quality," said Richardson.

Although barbecuing is still allowed, Richardson said they are advising people to use a gas grill instead of a charcoal grill, which creates more pollution.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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