Current:Home > reviewsThese parts of California are suffering from poor air quality from wildfire smoke -FundCenter
These parts of California are suffering from poor air quality from wildfire smoke
View
Date:2025-04-18 14:07:34
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! (16972)
Related
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- 10 Senators Call for Investigation into EPA Pushing Scientists Off Advisory Boards
- Makeup That May Improve Your Skin? See What the Hype Is About and Save $30 on Bareminerals Products
- You'll Flip a Table Over These Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 Reunion Looks
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- The new U.S. monkeypox vaccine strategy offers more doses — and uncertainty
- 20 AAPI-Owned Makeup & Skincare Brands That Should Be in Your Beauty Bag
- Coronavirus FAQ: Does a faint line on a self-test mean I'm barely contagious?
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- You'll Flip a Table Over These Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 13 Reunion Looks
Ranking
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- King Charles III Can Carry On This Top-Notch Advice From Queen Elizabeth II
- Rihanna's Makeup Artist Reveals the Most Useful Hack to Keep Red Lipstick From Smearing
- How Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Celebrated Their 27th Anniversary
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- How can we help humans thrive trillions of years from now? This philosopher has a plan
- Henry Shaw
- How realistic are the post-Roe abortion workarounds that are filling social media?
Recommendation
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
See Kylie Jenner and Stormi Webster’s Sweet Matching Moment at New York Fashion Party
Europe’s Hot, Fiery Summer Linked to Global Warming, Study Shows
Opponents, supporters of affirmative action on whether college admissions can be truly colorblind
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
44 Mother's Day Gifts from Celebrity Brands: SKIMS, Rare Beauty, Fenty Beauty, Beis, Honest, and More
Exxon’s Business Ambition Collided with Climate Change Under a Distant Sea
Nebraska Landowners Hold Keystone XL at Bay With Lawsuit