Bay Area Air District issues advisory for wildfire smoke

SAN FRANCISCO The Bay Area Air District on Thursday issued an air quality advisory due to smoke from wildfires burning in the northern Sacramento Valley area Related Articles Cleaning up smog is suddenly much harder in a California reined in by Trump Oakland loses another coal terminal decision but product is a avenues from coming to town Trump revokes California s electric bus rules Trump is expected to sign resolution this week reversing California s ban on gas-powered cars GOP congressman says Independent analysis blames large Martinez refinery fire on numerous deficiencies The advisory runs through Friday Smoke from the Butler and Green fires has been moving down the Sacramento Valley and is expected to impact air quality in the eastern portion of the Bay Area and down to Santa Clara Valley on Thursday and Friday according to the air district The air district noted conditions can change rapidly and the amount and location of smoke at ground level are hard to predict but the population can check the U S Environmental Protection Agency s fire and smoke map for real-time poisoning levels Smoky hazy skies may be visible the smell of smoke is practicable and air quality may become unhealthy at times on Thursday and Friday the air district mentioned in the advisory Exposure to wildfire smoke which contains fine particulate matter and other harmful pollutants is unhealthy even for short periods of time according to the air district Elderly persons children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air toxicity levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure The air district urged Bay Area residents to stay inside with windows and doors closed if accomplishable and temperatures allow until smoke levels subside Residents can also reduce their exposure to smoke by setting their car ventilation systems to recirculate using indoor air filtration or going to a facility with filtered air As of Thursday evening the Green Fire in Shasta County had burned acres and the Butler Fire part of the Orleans Complex in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties had charred acres according to fire authorities Both wildfires were contained Check back for updates