Advisory
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Smoke from wildfires in the western U.S. and Canada is expected to impact air quality in the Bay Area on Thursday and Friday. Residents in affected areas should stay alert to news coverage and health warnings related to smoke. Check air quality at fire.airnow.gov and take steps to protect your health from smoke. Learn how at www.baaqmd.gov/wildfiresafety. Pollution levels are not expected to exceed the national 24-hour health standard. A Spare the Air Alert is not in effect.
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The Community Air Risk Evaluation Program unites government, communities, and businesses to address areas of concentrated air pollution and related public health effects in the Bay Area.
While overall air pollution continues to decrease in the Bay Area, some communities still experience higher pollution levels than others. These communities are generally near pollution sources (such as freeways, busy distribution centers, and large industrial facilities) and negative impacts on public health in these areas are greater. The CARE Program aims to reduce these health impacts linked to local air quality.
The goals of the CARE Program are to:
The map below shows areas with elevated pollution levels based on detailed emissions inventories and air dispersion modeling that the Air District has identified as impacted. ArcGIS shapefiles for these areas as well as a PDF map(3 Mb PDF, 1 pg, posted 1/25/2018) are also available.
In 2014, the Air District issued a report summarizing the accomplishments of the CARE Program and appointed Task Force over the past decade. The report describes how the program provides a useful framework for guiding policy decisions, developing effective air quality programs in impacted areas, and fostering positive partnerships with community groups.
This report, local field studies, and other CARE Program documents are available for review.
Virginia Lau
Advanced Project Advisor, Planning and Climate Protection
415.749.4696 vlau@baaqmd.gov
Last Updated: 8/3/2023