Current:Home > ContactThese parts of California are suffering from poor air quality from wildfire smoke -Infinite Edge Learning
These parts of California are suffering from poor air quality from wildfire smoke
View
Date:2025-04-12 10:44:28
A smoky haze is currently blanketing the San Francisco Bay Area due to wildfires burning in the northwest, creating unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups.
The smoke stemming from multiple wildfires that continue to burn in rural areas of Northwestern California is getting pushed southward across parts of Northern California, including the Bay Area. Much of the smoke and haze is located in the upper atmosphere.
MORE: Wildfires in recent years have reversed some of the progress made in eliminating air pollution, new study suggests
Fire officials are letting them burn out since they are not threatening people or property.
The smoke was so thick on Wednesday that the San Francisco Bay Bridge was barely visible from the coastlines along the bay and the San Francisco skyline was barely visible across the bay from the Port of Oakland, ABC San Francisco station KGO reported.
The Air Quality Index for San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon was at 113, or "Code Orange," signifying unhealthy air pollution levels for sensitive groups.
Much of the smoke and haze is located in the upper atmosphere. The National Weather Service has not issued any air quality alerts for the region, but the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has issued a "Spare the Air" alert through Thursday, which bans burning wood, fire logs or other solid fuel to prevent from further contributing to the poor air quality.
MORE: New app will allow New Yorkers to avoid commuting through the poorest air quality
A fire weather watch was in effect for much of Wednesday for the North Bay Hills and Solano County due to gusty winds and low humidity. Red flag warnings were also issued for portions of Napa County, according to the NWS.
San Francisco resident Sarah Ryherd told KGO that it smells like a campfire around the city.
Another resident told the station that they had put a mask on after he began to feel the effects of the air pollution in their throat.
Some schools in the region canceled sports activities due to the smoke, KGO reported. The fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, contained in wildfire smoke can cause serious health problems if inhaled, especially for vulnerable populations, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
MORE: HSmoke blankets San Francisco as residents forced to don masks to breathe
Air quality will likely not improve in the region until Friday, said KGO meteorologist Lisa Argen.
Residents were advised to stay indoors and keep their windows closed.
veryGood! (61929)
Related
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Can office vacancies give way to more housing? 'It's a step in the right direction'
- South Dakota Governor proposes tighter spending amid rising inflation
- Six weeks before Iowa caucuses, DeSantis super PAC sees more personnel departures
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Prince Harry challenges decision to strip him of security after move to US with Meghan
- Israel continues bombardment, ground assault in southern Gaza
- Boston tourist killed by shark while paddleboarding in the Bahamas, police say
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- State officials review mistaken payments sent by Kentucky tornado relief fund
Ranking
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Jets drop Tim Boyle, add Brett Rypien in latest QB shuffle
- Open Society Foundations commit $50M to women and youth groups’ work on democracy
- New Orleans marsh fire blamed for highway crashes and foul smell is out after burning for weeks
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore on hot dogs, 'May December' and movies they can't rewatch
- Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree tops Billboard Hot 100 chart for first time since 1958 release
- Florida man, already facing death for a 1998 murder, now indicted for a 2nd. Detectives fear others
Recommendation
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
College presidents face tough questions from Congress over antisemitism on campus
Can anything stop the toxic smog of New Delhi?
U.S. military releases names of crew members who died in Osprey crash off coast of Japan
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Frontier Airlines settles lawsuit filed by pilots who claimed bias over pregnancy, breastfeeding
NCAA President Charlie Baker proposing new subdivision that will pay athletes via trust fund
Argentina’s President-elect Milei replies to Musk’s interest: ‘We need to talk, Elon’