Full Notification

Hi Neighbors,

 An unhealthy air quality alert is in effect until Tuesday, November 20 due to the continued heavy smoke moving into the Bay Area from the tragic Camp Fire in Butte County. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) extended the warning and is continuing a Spare the Air Alert (burn ban) as the region continues to be impacted by heavy wildfire smoke.

County and local school officials are continuing to monitor the situation and some schools may close tomorrow due to the conditions. Please contact your local school officials for an update or visit www.smcoe.org
 
The BAAQMD warns air quality remains unhealthy through much of the region and these conditions are expected to persist through at least Tuesday. While weather conditions will vary somewhat in the coming days, air quality is expected to remain unhealthy because there is so much smoke trapped at the surface and surrounding the region.
 
The BAAQMD notes the best option is to stay indoors while air quality is unhealthy. Masks should not be used instead of remaining indoors, but if worn they should be a new, clean N95 mask or greater, securely strapped for a tight seal. Masks are not suitable for men with beards or young children.

During a Spare the Air Alert, it is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to use their fireplaces, woodstoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning devices. Exemptions are available for homes without permanently installed heating, where woodstoves or fireplaces are the only source of heat.
 
Updates on the air quality are available at: https://airnow.gov/ or http://www.baaqmd.gov/