Bay Area schools, COVID-19 testing sites, beaches closed due to wildfires, poor air quality

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Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Bay Area air quality worst in the world as fires rage
Did you wake up to smoky skies this morning? ABC7 News meteorologist Mike Nicco explains where air quality is worst in the Bay Area.

Bay Area parks, schools and COVID-19 testing sites are closing due to poor air quality amid the raging wildfires across the San Francisco Bay Area.

LIVE: Track air quality levels in the Bay Area

Here's a roundup of closures around the region:

San Francisco

San Francisco Public Library

  • The SFPL To Go, front door service is temporarily suspended at the Main Library and Excelsior Branch Library due to the unhealthy air quality. See the library's announcement here.

East Bay

Oakland Zoo

  • Due to poor air conditions, the Oakland Zoo is closing early on Tuesday in consideration of your safety and health in mind. The park says conditions vary every hour, so please check their website for updated information.

Hayward COVID-19 testing site

  • The City of Hayward is closing its COVID-19 Testing Center until further notice due to poor air quality resulting from wildfire smoke. The testing center, located at Skywest Golf Course at 1401 Golf Course Road adjacent to Hayward Executive Airport, will reopen when air conditions allow. For more information on the Testing Center and to schedule or reschedule appointments, go to the Testing Center webpage of the Hayward website . The City's COVID-19 Information and Testing Center Hotline call center can be reached at (510) 583-5333.

East Bay Regional Parks

  • Due to the extreme fire activity in the region, the East Bay Regional Park District says all Regional Parks are closed until further notice, except some shoreline parks. The district says in a press release, it is currently experiencing an unprecedented number of wildfires in parks, including Round Valley Regional Preserve, Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, Del Valle Regional Park, Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, Ohlone Wilderness Regional Preserve, Mission Peak Regional Preserve, and Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.

RELATED: Bay Area air quality worst in the world as wildfires rage in all but one county

Peninsula:

Mountain View COVID-19 test site

  • Due to poor air quality, the COVID-19 testing site out at Shoreline Athletic Field drive-up is closed through August 29. The Wednesday testing at MVCPA by appointment only is still happening. See announcement here.

Pacifica Beaches

  • Effective Saturday, Aug. 22 to Monday, Aug. 24, beaches in Pacifica will be closed due to COVID-19 health concerns and poor air quality amid the wildfires in the Bay Area.

Half Moon Bay Beaches

  • Half Moon Bay Beaches are closed to keep roads clear for evacuees and emergency personnel due to the CZU Lightning Complex Fire.

California State Park campgrounds

  • California State Parks is closing campgrounds in all Santa Cruz and San Mateo County state parks and beaches due to the ongoing CZU August Lightning Complex Fires and out of public safety concerns. The closures will go into effect beginning Monday, Aug. 24-31. The public is advised not to travel to these counties. Reservation holders are being notified and full refunds will be given. Reservation holders can contact ReserveCalifornia at 800-444-7275. Hours of operation: 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PDT.

South Bay

San Jose State University

  • San Jose State University has closed the campus on Monday, Aug. 24 through Tuesday, Aug. 25 due to air quality and health concerns. All online classes will continue but in-person classes have been canceled, the university said in a Tweet. The university says to check emails and their twitter for updates.

Sanrta Cruz Beach Boardwalk

North Bay

Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District

SCOE-operated programs

  • This is in response to widespread evacuations, power outages and unhealthy air quality. The districts said they will also be providing meals for students to the extent possible and will communicate with families about the availability of school meal service, but it may change throughout the week due to unforeseen circumstance. According to its press release, Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District will be providing boxes of food with several meals for the week. Families will be notified of locations.
  • Vacaville Unified School District

  • Vacaville Unified will be providing school meals at Eugene Padan Elementary, Fairmont Charter Elementary, Sierra Vista K-8, and Will C. Wood High School.
  • RELATED: What you need to know about fires burning in the Bay Area

    Here's a look at state park closures:

    Due to the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires

    • Manresa State Beach
    • New Brighton State Beach
    • Seacliff State Beach
    • Sunset State Beach
    • Bean Hollow State Beach
    • Pescadero State Beach
    • Pigeon Point Light Station
    • Pomponio State Beach
    • Portola Redwoos State Park
    • San Gregorio State Beach
    • Natural Bridges State Beach
    • Wilder Ranch State Park
    • Año Nuevo State Park
    • Big Basin Redwoods State Park (including Rancho Del Oso)
    • Butano State Park
    • Castle Rock State Park
    • Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
    • Portola Redwoods State Park
    • Half Moon Bay Beaches
    • Soquel Demonstration State Forest
    • Portion of The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park north of San Point on Aptos Creek Fire Road to Buzzard Lagoon Road including the trails
    • The portion of the Forest Nisene Marks State Park including Hinkley Basin and Hinkley Basin Fire Rd. from San Point to Olive Springs Rd.

    Due to the LNU Lightning Complex Fires

    • Armstrong Redwoods SNR
    • Austin Creek State Recreation Area
    • Fort Ross SHP

    Due to the SCU Lightning Complex Fires

    • Henry W. Coe State Park

    Due to the Woodward Fire

    • Point Reyes National Seashore
    • Tomales Bay State Park

    Check back with ABC7 News for more updates.

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