Air quality

Our air quality is always changing. It’s affected by local vehicle emissions and wildfires in different parts of the state. Smoke from wildfires and structure fires can affect health, causing eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. These changes can happen quickly. Be prepared to protect yourself and your home in the event of an air quality alert.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District protects and improves community health through air quality improvement. Visit their site to learn more about what you can do to prepare for poor air quality and see current air quality data.

You can get hyper-local, real-time air quality data from AirNow's Fire and Smoke Map. When you look at the Fire and Smoke Map, you'll see air quality ratings that range from green to maroon. Here's how to understand the air quality ratings you'll see on the map: 

When there is poor or unsafe air quality outside, you can stay safe inside by: 

• Staying indoors as much as possible. Keep your children and pets inside, too.
• Keep doors and windows closed.
• If you have one, use an air purifier.
• Turn off fans or anything else that brings outside air into your house. Set your air conditioner so it reuses the air that's already inside.
• Don't burn candles or oil lamps inside.
• Minimize your use of stoves or fireplaces that run on propane or gas. If you need to use a gas stove, turn on your exhaust fan.

If you need to go outside when there's poor air quality, you can stay safe by:

• Wearing a mask that will protect you from small particles, like an N95 mask. A cloth or surgical mask won't block small particles.
• If you work outside, take plenty of breaks.
• In the event of an emergency or if someone has difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1.