Second Consecutive Spare the Air Day Issued for Wednesday With Temps Reach to 100+ Degrees

By Bay City News Service, image via shutterstock

Bay Area residents have been asked to avoid driving alone again on Wednesday during the second consecutive Spare the Air day. It is the second Spare the Air alert issued for the season.

High temperatures and light winds forecasted throughout the week are expected to lead to unhealthy smog.

During Spare the Air days, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District asks that residents take public transit, carpool, walk or bike rather than driving alone. In addition, residents are advised not to exercise outdoors during the hottest times of day, when smog levels are at their highest.

Smog can lead to throat irritation, congestion, chest pain, asthma attacks and can worsen bronchitis or emphysema, according to the air district. “Tailpipe exhaust is the biggest contributor to smog so we’re asking Bay Area residents to leave their cars at home and find a better way to work rather than driving alone,” air district executive officer Jack Broadbent said in a statement.

More information about Spare the Air alerts is available at www.sparetheair.org.

This week the Bay Area will experience a heat wave with highs in the 90s and 100s, with the highest temperatures today through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday is when temperatures are expected to be at this week’s peak, with a forecast of 98 degrees in Santa Rosa, 104 degrees in Concord, 104 degrees in Livermore, 103 degrees in Fairfield and 94 degrees in San Jose, according to the weather service.

The weather service warns against engaging in strenuous activity and recommends rescheduling physically demanding activities to the early morning or evening to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Many community centers, senior centers, and public libraries in the region may be serving this week as cooling centers, designated facilities where the public can have access to air conditioning and refuge from the extreme heat.

They typically are open during the facilities’ normal hours of operation. Contra Costa County health officials said all senior centers in the county will serve as cooling centers this week. During periods of extreme heat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying in air-conditioned shelter, keeping body temperatures from overheating by avoiding direct sunlight, wearing lightweight clothing and staying hydrated.