Bay Area air quality alert in effect through Friday: What to know
Air Quality Advisory: Smoke from the fires in N. Sac. Valley is expected to impact air quality in parts of the Bay Area on Thursday and Friday. Check https://t.co/U3NGKXoUWV and take steps to avoid exposure. Learn how at https://t.co/7iAAf0acK9. pic.twitter.com/3WQ4nKfQ3Z
— Bay Area Air Quality (@AirDistrict) July 10, 2025
Air quality began to deteriorate Thursday afternoon, especially across the Tri-Valley, where temperatures surged into the 90s and sensors picked up moderate levels of wildfire smoke. Most of that smoke is from the Green Fire burning near Shasta Lake, which grew to over 5,000 acres by Thursday evening.
Winds will stay light Thursday night and additional smoke will spread into the Santa Clara Valley and eastern Bay Area. The highest PM 2.5 concentrations — the fine particulate matter that poses the biggest health risk in wildfire smoke — will remain east of the Peninsula and Bay overnight. But elevated levels aloft may still provide the entire region a vivid sunset.
Temperatures are expected to climb back into the mid- to upper 90s across inland valleys and the South Bay, and that daytime warming will increase vertical mixing. That could draw more smoke down to the surface, worsening air quality across parts of the East Bay, Santa Clara Valley and interior North Bay.
Still, PM 2.5 levels across most of the Bay Area are forecast to stay below the ' unhealthy' threshold for the general public. Sensitive groups — including children, older adults, and those with asthma or heart conditions should take precautions
Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of PM 2.5 can irritate the lungs, aggravate asthma, and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, especially for those spending time outdoors or exercising.
Some modest air quality improvements are likely by late Friday into Saturday as winds begin to shift, helping to push smoke from the Northern California fires eastward. Temperatures will cool slightly over the weekend, and a persistent onshore flow should keep the worst of the smoke away.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
13-08-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Gifford Fire smoke expected in Bay Area, air quality advisory in effect
A Bay Area air quality advisory is in effect as health officials expect smoke from the Gifford Fire to move into the area Tuesday. Bay Area residents may see hazy skies and smell smoke, but the Bay Area Air Quality Management District said it does not expect pollution levels to exceed federal 24-hour health limits. Ground-level smoke intensity, however, is difficult to predict. The United States Environmental Protection Agency's real-time smoke map shows clean air quality scores for much of the area, including San Francisco and Oakland. San Pablo at Rumrill Boulevard and San Jose at Jackson Street showed moderate air quality levels that suggest 'unusually sensitive people' consider limiting time outside and heading indoors if they experience symptoms. The Gifford Fire, burning through the rugged backcountry of California's Central Coast, has grown into the state's largest wildfire of the year and has reached 'megafire' status. The fire had burned 125,648 acres and was 33% contained as of Tuesday afternoon. Even brief exposure to wildfire smoke and its pollutants can harm people, the air district said. Smoke can irritate the eyes, throat and sinuses. People with asthma, emphysema or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can begin to wheeze when exposed to high levels of wildfire pollutants.
San Francisco Chronicle
13-07-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
California wildfires: Member of Shasta County's Green Fire crew suffers heat illness
A firefighter suffered a heat-related illness Saturday as crews worked to contain the Green Fire in Shasta County amid hot and dry conditions, officials said Sunday. A boat with a medic onboard took the firefighter to an awaiting ambulance, the U.S. Forest Service said, although no details about the firefighter's illness or condition were released. The blaze grew to 10,334 acres overnight and was 5% contained as of Sunday, nearly two weeks after lightning sparked the fire in dry brush northeast of Lake Shasta on July 1, the forest service said in a statement. Some residents remained under evacuation orders or warnings Sunday. Details about the orders were available at On Saturday, crews faced high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions that fueled the fire, with similar weather expected Sunday, along with a slight chance of thunderstorms north of the blaze, the forest service said. 'All these factors contribute to the likelihood of active fire behavior,' the agency said. Smoke from the fire was expected to make the air quality unhealthy for the Burney and Montgomery Creek communities of Shasta County on Sunday. Watercraft and aircraft were assigned to the fire, including two 'super scooper' aircraft crews that planned to draw water from Shasta Lake on Sunday to assist in the firefighting efforts, the forest service said.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
Super Scooper planes to fight Green Fire in Shasta-Trinity forest near Lake Shasta
Fire officials working the Green Fire burning in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest northeast of Redding announced they are using two "Super Scooper" planes to drop water and help extinguish flames. The U.S. Forest Service also said a firefighter suffered from heat-related illness and was taken by a firefighting boat, which has a medic onboard, to a waiting ambulance so they could receive more medical care. As of Sunday, the growing fire's size was mapped at 10,334 acres from 9,563 on Saturday, fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions this time of year in the region. A heat advisory remained in effect through 11 p.m. Monday due to temperature highs that would range from 95 degrees to 110 degrees in parts of the Sacramento Valley. The Super Scoopers was expected to draw water from various arms of Lake Shasta, but they need a mile of open space to refill their tanks. Boaters should move toward the shore so as to not impede the firefighting operations and keep air crews safe, the forest service said in a statement. For the first time since lightning sparked the fire on July 1, the forest service reported firefighters built containment lines around 5% of the Green Fire. That's because to the south, the flames reached the Pit River. Watercraft, including the one that carried the ill firefighter to medical treatment, were in that area and secured defense lines along a portion of the river, the forest service said. Those boats were expected to continue suppression efforts along the river. Nearly 1,200 fire personnel are assigned to the fire. In addition to the two airships, nine helicopters, 26 bulldozers, 56 engines, 16 hotshot crews and 10 other crews are fighting the fire. The forest service also has 15 ambulances staged throughout the area to respond to and support firefighters. Note to readers: We've made this story free as an important public service to our North State communities. If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. Your support goes a long way in supporting coverage that matters to you. On the north side of the fire, or the area of Alder Springs, flames backed down toward the burn scar of the Shoe Fire, which burned more than 5,000 acres before it was contained Nov. 9, 2024. On the east side, the fire crossed Flat Creek and to the southwest, the fire moved across the Brock Mountain Road. The forest service said firefighters limited the fire's growth on the east side and secured the remainder of Brock Mountain Road to the north and northwest. An evacuation order was still in place for a swath of land identified as zone LKH-1448-A, north of Kennedy Memorial Road and south of Wheeler Nursery Road, according to zone maps. People evacuating west can go to a collection point at the Gilman Road and Interstate 5 intersection, the county announced. People evacuating east toward Highway 299 can do to a collection point at Halcumb Cemetery, 29943 Highway 299 in Montgomery Creek, according to the county. Zone LKH-1448-B to the north of the Green Fire area was under an evacuation warning, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office issued. That area is north of Wheeler Nursery Road. Other people who should be prepared to leave the area in case of a mandatory order were in zones: Zone LKH-1200 to the west of the Green Fire area — from north of Ski Island, south of Dekkas Creek, east of the McCloud River and west of Bully Hill. Zone LKH-1190 to the northwest — from north of Hirz Creek, south of the McCloud Bridge and east of Matquaw Flat. To find your zone, type your address into the search window at If you're away from home and not sure of your address, users can find their location on the site's map. The forest service also closed trails and campgrounds near the fire, including the Hirz Recreation Complex, Chirpchatter Campground and picnic area, Potem Falls Trail and Madrone Campground and picnic area. The fire started on July 1 north of the Pit River arm of Lake Shasta, and south of the Chirpchatter Campground, according to the forest service. That area is about 8 miles west of Round Mountain, according to Cal Fire maps. (This story will be updated as new information becomes available.) This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Super Scooper planes to fight Green Fire as it grows north of Redding
