Current:Home > StocksThese parts of California are suffering from poor air quality from wildfire smoke -Keystone Capital Education
These parts of California are suffering from poor air quality from wildfire smoke
View
Date:2025-04-11 13:22:36
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! (7)
Related
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Easter weekend storm hits Southern California with rain and mountain snow
- Demolition crews cutting into first pieces of Baltimore bridge as ship remains in rubble
- Solar eclipse glasses are needed for safety, but they sure are confusing. What to know.
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Women's March Madness Elite Eight schedule, predictions for Sunday's games
- Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's Chef Michael Dane Has a Simple Change to Improve Your Diet
- The Black Crowes soar again with Happiness Bastards, the group's first album in 15 years
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Shoplifter chased by police on horses in New Mexico, video shows
Ranking
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- LSU's Flau'jae Johnson thrives on basketball court and in studio off of it
- UFL Week 1 winners and losers: USFL gets bragging rights, Thicc-Six highlights weekend
- Third employee of weekly newspaper in Kansas sues over police raid that sparked a firestorm
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- JuJu Watkins has powered USC into Elite Eight. Meet the 'Yoda' who's helped her dominate.
- LSU's X-factors vs. Iowa in women's Elite Eight: Rebounding, keeping Reese on the floor
- Women's March Madness highlights: Caitlin Clark, Iowa move to Elite Eight after Sweet 16 win
Recommendation
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Oklahoma State Patrol says it is diverting traffic after a barge hit a bridge
3 officers shot in Reno, Nevada, area; suspect dead after traffic stop escalated into standoff
Lamar Odom Reveals Where He Stands With Rob Kardashian 7 Years After Khloe Kardashian Divorce
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
New $20 minimum wage for fast food workers in California set to start Monday
Elaborate scheme used drones to drop drugs in prisons, authorities in Georgia say
Robert Randolph talks performing on new Beyoncé album, Cowboy Carter