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

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.

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

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and all parking lots are closed to the public through Sunday due to impacts from the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. This includes the Jumanji Drive-In Movies. Officials are asking that people please do not visit Santa Cruz.

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.

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.