Date
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
The Air District is issuing a Health Advisory & Spare the Air Alert through Thursday, October 19, due to continued smoke impacts from wildfires in the region. Unhealthy air quality from the wildfires continues to plague the eastern Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties. Due to active wildfires and changing wind patterns, air quality throughout the Bay Area could be impacted for many days to come.
The Air District is sending an asbestos team to work with a water, waste and debris team in Sonoma County. As part of this team, Air District asbestos experts will advise on cleanup efforts in fire zones to protect public health and worker safety. Airborne ash will further impact fire ravaged areas for many months. Please refer to all health advisories issued in disaster recovery areas when re-entering burn zones.
It is important that Bay Area residents protect their health, especially in Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties. If possible, it is recommended that residents impacted by heavy smoke seek buildings with filtered air OR move outside the smoke impacted area until smoke levels subside.
Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat and irritated sinuses. Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing in those who suffer from asthma, emphysema or COPD. Elderly persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure.
A weak cold front is forecast to move across the Bay Area Thursday night and Friday morning, which will help disperse the smoke. In addition, light rainfall is expected across the region.
Check here for real-time air quality readings: https://go.usa.gov/xnxJE.
Temporary PM2.5 monitors are set up in Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Sonoma, Napa and Cordelia. Data can be viewed at AirNow wildfire website: https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires.
View press release.
Last Updated: 10/18/2017