18th 'Spare The Air' Issued Today For Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA – An unhealthy level of air pollution forecast for the Bay Area on Friday prompted the Bay Area Air Quality District to issue this summer's 18th Spare the Air Alert.

Light winds and smoke from California wildfires combined with motor vehicle exhaust are expected to produce air pollution that can be especially unhealthy for small children, seniors, and people with respiratory
and heart conditions.

Air quality officials issue a Spare the Air Alert when air pollution is expected to reach an unhealthy level.

The level of air pollution expected can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain, trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema.

Air quality officials suggest residents and visitors exercise only in the morning Friday when the level of smog is lower.

The officials are encouraging everyone to travel by other means rather than driving alone. Residents are encouraged to buy an electric vehicle the next time they're in the market.

A list of commuter benefit programs is available at www.stacommutetips.org.

Residents and visitors can find out when a Spare the Air Alert has been issued by going to www.sparetheair.org , calling (800) HELP-AIR, downloading the Spare the Air app or going to the Spare the Air Facebook or Twitter pages.

Also see:

• Bailey Fire In Santa Clara Co. Is A Wrap With 100% Containment
• Soberanes Fire Update: Bigger Still With 79K Acres Consumed On Day 28
• Clayton Fire Update: Crews Begin Mop-Up Of Lower Lake As Containment Hit 55%

--Bay City News/Image from Lake County's Clayton fire via Cal Fire