The Air District is asking the public to not burn wood in their fireplaces, woodstoves, or outdoor fire pits through the New Year’s holiday to keep air quality from becoming unhealthy.
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A Healthy Breathing Environment For Every Bay Area Resident
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Contra Costa County
Learn about Contra Costa County - its climate, potential air pollution concerns, and current air quality. You can also view upcoming Air District events in Contra Costa County and read about local efforts to improve air quality.
Contra Costa County lies east of the San Pablo Bay, bounded by Alameda County to the south, San Joaquin County to the east, and Solano and Sacramento counties to the north. Four representatives sit on the Air District’s Board of Directors.
Latest News
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The Air District is issuing a Spare the Air Alert for tomorrow, Friday, December 20, which bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors.
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Spare the Air Alert issued for today, Sunday, December 8December 08, 2024
The Air District is issuing a Spare the Air Alert for today, Sunday, December 8, which bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors. Regional wood burning and easterly winds transporting air pollution into the Bay Area from the Central Valley have contributed to high overnight concentrations of fine particle pollution and unhealthy air quality. Although light northerly winds will bring some improvement later in the afternoon and evening, parts of the Bay Area will still experience unhealthy air quality throughout the day. Breezier northeasterly winds will bring more substantial improvement in air quality for Monday.
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The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is issuing the winter season’s first Spare the Air Alerts for Sunday, December 1, and Monday, December 2, which ban burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors.
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November 26, 2024
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November 19, 2024
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November 12, 2024
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Upcoming Events
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Other News Articles
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11/6/2024 Air District releases woodsmoke white paper for public comment
November 6, 2024
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10/31/2024 Air District and CARB fine Valero Refining Co. $82 million for air quality violations
October 31, 2024
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10/25/2024 Air District issues air quality advisory for Friday and Saturday
October 25, 2024
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10/18/2024 Air District issues air quality advisory for Friday
October 18, 2024
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10/17/2024 Air District to host Clean Air Talk in East Palo Alto on November 2
October 17, 2024
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10/17/2024 Air District fines Radius Recycling, formerly Schnitzer Steel, $575,000 for air quality violations
October 17, 2024
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10/8/2024 Air District issues air quality advisory for Novato
October 8, 2024
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10/8/2024 Air District to host Building Appliance Rules learning session on October 22
October 8, 2024
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10/7/2024 Air District to host public meeting on Radius Recycling permit application
October 7, 2024
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10/7/2024 Air District’s James Cary Smith Community Grant Program uplifts Bay Area communities
October 7, 2024
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10/5/2024 Air District extends Spare the Air Alert through Sunday
October 5, 2024
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10/4/2024 Air District issues Spare the Air Alert for Saturday
October 4, 2024
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10/2/2024 Air District extends Spare the Air Alert through Thursday
October 2, 2024
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10/2/2024 Air District fines Marathon Martinez Refinery $5 million
October 2, 2024
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10/2/2024 Air District releases annual Air Toxics Report and online Facility Toxic Emissions and Prioritization Tool
October 2, 2024
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10/1/2024 Air District extends Spare the Air Alert through Wednesday
October 1, 2024
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10/1/2024 Regional Agencies Mark Milestone in the Mandatory Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program
October 1, 2024
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10/1/2024 Air District offers $90 million in grants to reduce toxic air pollution from heavy-duty diesel engines
October 1, 2024
Climate
Temperatures in and around the San Ramon and Diablo Valleys are warm in the summer and cool in the winter, largely because of their distance from the moderating effect of water bodies and because the California Coast Range blocks marine air flow into the valleys. The Carquinez Strait region remains temperate due to its proximity to water and oceanic air flows. In winter, average daily temperatures are mild, with tule fog common at night. Average summer temperatures are typically mild overnight and warm during the day, with cooler temperatures and stronger winds more common along the western coast. Wind speeds are generally low throughout the region and winds typically blow from northwest to southwest. However, strong afternoon gusts are common in the northern portion of the county around the Carquinez Strait. Annual rainfall averages between 18 and 23 inches across the county.
Interactive Air Monitoring Stations Map
Air Quality in Contra Costa County
Ozone and fine particle pollution, or PM2.5, are the major regional air pollutants of concern in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ozone is primarily a problem in the summer, and fine particle pollution in the winter.
Ozone and PM2.5 infrequently exceed health standards in the portion of Contra Costa County west of the East Bay hills. The San Francisco Bay keeps air temperatures above freezing in winter and well below 100 degrees on even the warmest summer days.
In eastern Contra Costa County, summer afternoon temperatures frequently approach triple digits, spurring ozone levels to exceed health standards. In winter, PM2.5 can be transported westward through the Carquinez Strait from the Central Valley where it adds to wood smoke, causing health standards to be exceeded.
Spare the Air Status
Last Updated: 4/21/2017