Bay Area Air Quality Advisory Extended Through Thursday Due To Wildfire Smoke

The Bay Area Air District extended an air quality advisory until Thursday as wildfire smoke from the Pacific Northwest is expected to continue to affect the region. On Tuesday, the agency issued an initial air quality advisory in effect through Wednesday due to smoky, hazy skies and the smell of smoke. The air district said pollution levels were not expected to exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 24-hour health standards, but the air quality could still become unhealthy as smoke conditions shifted. On Wednesday morning, the agency extended the air quality advisory through Thursday due to changing conditions and unpredictable locations of smoke at ground level. The smoke is drifting from multiple uncontained wildfires burning in Oregon and Washington amid the fire season. The Bay Area Air District said wildfire smoke contains particulate matter and other pollutants that can irritate the eyes and airways, which can cause coughing or irritated sinuses. Older adults, children and people with respiratory illnesses are especially vulnerable to smoke exposure and should take extra precautions, the agency said.