On Tuesday, the agency issued an initial air quality advisory in effect through Wednesday due to smoky, hazy skies and the smell of smoke. The air district said pollution levels were not expected to exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 24-hour health standards, but the air quality could still become unhealthy as smoke conditions shifted.
On Wednesday morning, the agency extended the air quality advisory through Thursday due to changing conditions and unpredictable locations of smoke at ground level. The smoke is drifting from multiple uncontained wildfires burning in Oregon and Washington amid the fire season.
The Bay Area Air District said wildfire smoke contains particulate matter and other pollutants that can irritate the eyes and airways, which can cause coughing or irritated sinuses. Older adults, children and people with respiratory illnesses are especially vulnerable to smoke exposure and should take extra precautions, the agency said.
The air district will be monitoring conditions throughout the Bay Area, and encouraged residents to check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Fire and Smoke Map for air quality levels in their city at https://fire.airnow.gov/.