Current:Home > StocksThese parts of California are suffering from poor air quality from wildfire smoke -InvestPioneer
These parts of California are suffering from poor air quality from wildfire smoke
View
Date:2025-04-15 13:50:12
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! (93)
Related
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- The Hills' Whitney Port Addresses Concerns Over Her Weight
- Influencer Jackie Miller James Transferred to Neuro Rehab Facility Amid Recovery Journey
- Ivy colleges favor rich kids for admission, while middle-class students face obstacles, study finds
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Education Department opens investigation into Harvard’s legacy admissions
- The NPR Culture Desk shares our favorite stories of 2022
- A year with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: What worked? What challenges lie ahead?
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Former Tennessee police officer sues after department rescinds job offer because he has HIV
Ranking
- Average rate on 30
- Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney has knee procedure; Week 1 availability could be in question
- 'The Best Man: The Final Chapters' is very messy, very watchable
- Doug Burgum says he qualified for GOP presidential debate, after paying donors $20 for $1 donations
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Doug Burgum says he qualified for GOP presidential debate, after paying donors $20 for $1 donations
- Sister of Carlee Russell's Ex-Boyfriend Weighs In on Stupid as Hell Kidnapping Hoax
- Sheryl Lee Ralph opens up about when her son was shot: 'I collapsed and dropped the phone'
Recommendation
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
School on South Dakota reservation that was founded in 1888 renamed in Lakota language
3 found dead in car at North Carolina gas station are identified as Marines stationed nearby
Three great 2022 movies you may have missed
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
2022 Books We Love: Realistic Fiction
He's edited Caro, le Carré and 'Catch-22,' but doesn't mind if you don't know his name
Could sharks make good hurricane hunters? Why scientists say they can help with forecasts