Wildfires: Bay Area Spare The Air Alert Extended Through Sunday Due To Smoke
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF/KPIX) – The wildfires raging across Northern California have sent a blanket of unhealthy smoke over Bay Area.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued Spare the Air alerts through Sunday because of the smoke from fires sparked by lightning, last weekend.
The air district had already issued alerts through Wednesday, then extended it through this weekend because of elevated particulate pollution levels caused by the wildfires.
One woman told KPIX, "The sun was a big red dot in the sky and there was ash over everything."
Masks may help residents stay healthy when they go outdoors.
"If you are outside in an area with particulate matter, wear a mask- N95 is especially helpful," said Dr. David Cornfield with Stanford Children's Health.
Related: Bay Area Wildfires
- LNU Lightning Complex Fires: Wildfire Razes Spanish Flat Mobile Villa; Homes Destroyed, Residents Flee To Safety
- River Fire: Evacuations, Unhealthy Air In Monterey County As Wildfire Grows To 10,000 Acres
- LNU Lightning Complex Fires: Firefighters Waging Desperate Battle As Wildfire Blazing Toward Vacaville; Several Homes Burning
- August Lightning Complex Fires: Roadways Jammed As Thousands Flee Out-Of-Control Santa Cruz Mountain Wildfires
- Fire Resources Spread Thin As Napa Wildfire Explodes In Size Forcing Mandatory Evacuations
- Firefighters Battling 700-Acre Fire In Point Reyes National Seashore; Evacuation Warning
- SCU Lightning Complex: Wind-Whipped Flames Straining Fire Lines; Residents Forced To Flee Homes
The Peninsula, Santa Clara Valley and Livermore Valley are expected to see the heaviest impacts from the smoke pollution, but impacts are possible throughout the Bay Area, according to the air district.
On Spare the Air days, it is illegal for people to use fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or other wood-burning devices.
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