Santa Cruz Air Quality Forecast Improves

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Winds have pushed smoke lingering over the region to the east, allowing for improved air quality sooner than expected in Santa Cruz and across Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz was previously forecast to have air quality in the "unhealthy" zone on the Air Quality Index for the rest of the week, according to AirNow. But Wednesday morning, the forecast changed to show air quality could stay in the "good" to "moderate" ranges this week.

In Santa Cruz, air quality was classified "moderate" on the AQI Wednesday morning. But overall, AQI conditions were forecast to be "good" until Sunday, when "moderate" air quality was expected to return.

Some smoke from the Dolan Fire in Big Sur was expected to drift toward Salinas and into the South Bay in days to come, the National Weather Service forecast Wednesday.

A marine layer near the coast was expected to keep fire conditions under control, according to AirNow.

Read: Full Containment Of CZU Fires Expected Soon