The Air District is issuing an air quality advisory for smoke in Contra Costa and Solano counties due to a fire at MRC’s Martinez refinery.
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Advisory
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The Air District has issued 2 Notices of Violation(1 Mb PDF, 2 pgs, posted 2/3/2025) to MRC Refinery following the 2/1 fire for public nuisance, excessive smoke and soot fallout. We are continuing to investigate, and additional violations are possible. The incident report(120 Kb PDF, 1 pg, posted 2/2/2025) will be updated as new information becomes available.
Advisory
The Air District has issued 2 Notices of Violation(1 Mb PDF, 2 pgs, posted 2/3/2025) to MRC Refinery following the 2/1 fire for public nuisance, excessive smoke and soot fallout. We are continuing to investigate, and additional violations are possible. The incident report(120 Kb PDF, 1 pg, posted 2/2/2025) will be updated as new information becomes available.
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Santa Clara County
Learn about Santa Clara County - its climate, potential air pollution concerns, and current air quality. You can also view upcoming Air District events in Santa Clara County and read about local efforts to improve air quality.
Latest News
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Air District asks public not to light firecrackers and fireworks or burn wood over Lunar New Year holidayJanuary 28, 2025
The Air District is asking the public not to light fireworks or burn wood over the Lunar New Year holiday to keep air quality from becoming unhealthy.
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Air District launches new name and brandingJanuary 22, 2025
The Bay Area Air District is announcing its new name and logo. The new look symbolizes the Air District’s new direction through recent leadership changes, reflecting a modernized brand that helps the agency stay connected and effective in its mission.
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Air District asks public to not burn wood through the New Year’s holidayDecember 30, 2024
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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December 08, 2024
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Upcoming Events
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Other News Articles
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11/26/2024 Air District asks public to not burn wood over Thanksgiving holiday
November 26, 2024
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11/19/2024 Air District to host Clean Air Talk in San Lorenzo on December 7
November 19, 2024
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11/12/2024 Air District to represent Bay Area at COP29
November 12, 2024
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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
Santa Clara County is south of the San Francisco Bay, with San Mateo and Alameda counties bordering it to the north, Santa Cruz County to the west, San Benito County to the south, and Stanislaus and Merced counties to the east. Four Santa Clara County representatives sit on the Air District’s Board of Directors.
Climate
During the summer, mostly clear skies result in warm daytime temperatures and cool nights. Winter temperatures are mild, except for very cool but generally frost-less mornings.
Further inland where the moderating effect of the bay is not as strong, temperature extremes are greater. Wind patterns are influenced by local terrain, with a northwesterly sea breeze typically developing during the daytime. Winds are usually stronger in the spring and summer. Rainfall amounts are modest, ranging from 13 inches in the lowlands to 20 inches in the hills.
Interactive Air Monitoring Stations Map
Air Quality in Santa Clara 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.
Most of Santa Clara County is well south of the cooler waters of the San Francisco Bay and far from the cooler marine air which usually reaches across San Mateo County in summer. Ozone frequently forms on hot summer days when the prevailing seasonal northerly winds carry ozone precursors southward across the county, causing health standards to be exceeded.
Santa Clara County experiences many exceedances of the PM2.5 standard each winter. This is due to the high population density, wood smoke, industrial and freeway traffic, and poor wintertime air circulation caused by extensive hills to the east and west that block wind flow into the region.
Spare the Air Status
Last Updated: 4/21/2017