Crime & Safety

Mt. Diablo Wildfire Smoke Could Impact Bay Area Air Quality

View of the Mount Diablo Fire from a Patch reader's backyard taken at 3:15 p.m. Photo by Kathy Sever

Written by Laura Dudnick:

The Bay Area Air Quality Management has issued a smoke advisory to Bay Area residents Monday afternoon due to wildfire smoke from fires burning on Mt. Diablo.

Smoke from this fire has been observed moving south along the Diablo Range and may impact parts of Contra Costa, Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

Bay Area residents in these regions are advised to:

•       Reduce exposure to smoky air by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed
•       Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate
•       If air smells of smoke, limit outdoor activities to avoid unnecessary exposure
•       If you have asthma or other lung disease, make sure you follow your doctor's directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
•       If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area.
•       Go to www.baaqmd.gov or www.sparetheair.org to check real-time air quality

Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat and irritated sinuses, according to the air quality district.

Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger asthma attacks, in those who suffer from asthma. Elderly persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure.

The Air District will continue to monitor smoke impacts and issue additional advisories as conditions warrant. A Spare the Air advisory is not in effect and no burn ban is in place.

For more information about smoke impacts please visit www.sparetheair.org orwww.airquality.org/smokeimpact/.

Patch will update this story should air conditions change.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.