The Bay Area got somewhat of a break from the heat last week but this week -- the heat is on once again.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is declaring today a Spare the Air Day and is urging residents to work from home, carpool or take public transit but transit is not free today.
There is no a wood-burning ban in place and that also means you should put off lighting up the the backyard barbeque today.
"Carpooling and taking transit are excellent ways to reduce our overall pollution and help prevent unhealthy air," Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air district, said in a prepared statement.
The air district issues summertime Spare the Air alerts whenever ozone pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy concentrations.
Ozone can cause throat irritation, congestion and chest pain. It can trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema. Long-term exposure can reduce lung function.
