Air District Lifts Spare The Air Alert For Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA — The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has lifted the Spare the Air alert that was in place through Tuesday. An air quality advisory was instead issued Monday through Tuesday due to possible localized smoke impacts near the Glass Fire in the North Bay.

Increased containment of the Glass Fire has resulted in less smoke generated by the fire, according to the air district.

"While onshore winds will continue to blow smoke out of much the Bay Area, localized impacts near the Glass Fire are possible," air district officials said.

"Air quality is expected to be in the good to moderate range and is not expected to exceed the national 24-hour health standard through Tuesday. The Air District will be closely monitoring air quality throughout the region for smoke impacts from the fires."

Also see: Record Number Of Spare The Air Alerts Issued In 2020 In Bay Area

Spare the Air Alerts are issued when ozone or particulate matter pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. It is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to use their fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning devices during a Spare the Air alert for particulate pollution.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a dry scratchy throat and irritated sinuses. Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger wheezing in people who suffer from asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Children, seniors and people with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure.