Wildfire smoke from the Glass Fire in Napa County and expected smog has prompted the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to extend a Spare the Air alert through Tuesday.
Air district officials said that smoke from the Glass Fire that broke out Sunday morning will have consequences for the North Bay. In addition, smoke combined with high inland temperatures and vehicle exhaust is expected to cause unhealthy smog accumulation in the Bay Area.
The alert means it is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to burn wood or manufactured firelogs in fireplaces, woodstoves and inserts, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits, or any other wood burning devices.
Smog can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain, trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema, air district officials said.
During a Spare the Air Alert, outdoor exercise should take place only in the early morning, when smog levels are lower.
When smoke reaches unhealthy levels, residents should stay inside if possible with windows and doors closed until it subsides, if temperatures allow. When it's too hot, residents are urged to visit an air-cooling center or other building that provides filtered air.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Glass Fire area, North Bay mountains, East Bay hills and Santa Cruz Mountains through 6 a.m. Saturday due to dry conditions and gusty winds.
