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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Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. Small particles of water vapor can scatter the light so thoroughly that the blue of the sky does not show through. This phenomenon is common in the South Bay during warm weather.
When air pollution levels are high, many residents experience some symptoms such as watery eyes, coughing, or wheezing. Even for healthy people, polluted air can cause respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. The effects generally depend on your current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of exposure to polluted air.
The people most susceptible to severe health problems from air pollution are:
The colors and letters used in the daily air quality report are based on the Air Quality Index. Green means good air quality, yellow is moderate, orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
You can find current and historical regional air monitoring data and meteorological data from the Air District’s air monitoring network on our website.
Last Updated: 8/3/2023