Bay Area air quality advisory issued for Friday due to wildfire smoke

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — An air quality advisory has been issued for Friday due to wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke from Northern California is expected to impact the Bay Area, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

“Conditions can change rapidly and the amount and location of smoke at ground level is hard to predict,” the BAAQMD said.

Skies may be hazy and some Bay Area residents may smell smoke, particularly in higher altitudes and in the North Bay, the agency advised.

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“Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter and other harmful pollutants,” the BAAQMD said. “Exposure to wildfire smoke is unhealthy, even for short periods of time.”

The BAAQMD recommends that residents in impacted areas take precautions to avoid exposure, including:

  • Staying inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside

  • Reducing exposure by setting their air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate

  • Using indoor air filtration

The agency also recommends going to a Clean Air Center or location with filtered air, such as a library or mall. Elderly people, children and people with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollutants. The BAAQMD advises people belonging to these groups to take extra precautions.

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