Spare the Air Alert extended through Monday due to heat, possible smoggy, unhealthy conditions
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Bay Area Air District has extended a Spare the Air alert through Monday, October 5 because of a forecast of hot weather and light winds that is expected to lead to elevated pollution levels. It was previously in effect for Saturday and Sunday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for 11 a.m. Saturday through 10 p.m. Wednesday for most of the Bay Area besides some places along the coast and in the North Bay because of expected triple-digit inland temperatures.
The air district said the weather conditions are expected to produce elevated concentrations of ozone, otherwise known as smog.
On Spare the Air days, outdoor exercise is advised only in the early morning hours when smog levels are lower. The pollution is particularly harmful for young children, older adults, and people with respiratory and heart conditions, according to the air district.
People can find out when a Spare the Air alert is in effect by visiting the organization's website, calling (800) HELP-AIR, downloading the Spare the Air app on their smartphone or find Spare the Air on social media.
App users: For a better experience, click here to view the full map in a new window
What are Spare the Air days?
Air quality in the Bay Area can be unhealthy at times throughout the year.
Spare the Air Alerts are called when ozone pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. Ozone, or smog, can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain, trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema. Long-term exposure to ozone can reduce lung function. Ozone pollution is particularly harmful to young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions.
When a Spare the Air Alert is called, outdoor exercise should be done only in the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower. Residents are encouraged to reduce air pollution every day by rethinking their commute and avoiding driving alone.
Find out more about what the Air District is doing to address climate change in the nine-county Bay Area. Spare the Air-Cool the Climate is a blueprint for tackling regional air pollution and climate pollutants while improving the health of Bay Area residents for the next several decades. Check out the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's video about their vision on climate change:
On Spare the Air days or nights, there is no free transit.
Here's a list of simple things the public can do to make clean air choices every day:
- Bike to work or around town
- Take public transit
- Work at home or telecommute
- Carpool and link your errands to reduce driving
- Avoid using gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers
- Reduce household energy use
- Don't use lighter fluid on the barbecue
- Avoid using aerosol spray cleaners, paints and hairspray
The Spare the Air smog season runs from May through October. The Winter Spare the Air season runs from November through February.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the Bay Area. For more information about Spare the Air, visit www.sparetheair.org
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Related
Bay Area Spare the Air website
