Unhealthy Air / Smoke Event

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In the Bay Area, a certain amount of air pollution comes from industrial sources but a large percentage of harmful air emissions comes from cars, trucks, construction equipment, and other motor vehicles. In the winter, a major source of air pollution comes from residential wood burning. For the past several years, the Bay Area has experienced unprecedented fires and dense smoke, which are the result of years of impacts brought on by climate change. The reality is that heavy smoke and general poor air quality will be in our future, so we all need to prepare ourselves, our homes, our loved ones, and community for unhealthy air quality and smoke events.

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What to Do

Before

Before an Unhealthy Air Event

Plan and Prepare

  • Plan to go to a location with cleaner air if you are unable to remain in your home. Examples include:
    • If you are unable to seal your home during a smoke event
    • If there is a high heat event at the same time and you do not have the ability to cool your house
  • Replace or refurbish old leaky windows and doors. Use caulking to seal leaks and gaps
  • Purchase an air purifier appropriate for the size of your home. Make sure that the filter is replaced on a regular basis or after heavy use
  • If your HVAC system is equipped, know how to switch your system into "recirculate" mode to prevent smoke from entering the space
  • Individuals with health conditions should talk to their physician to develop a personal plan
    • Consider discussing having extra medications and inhalers
  • Keep a supply of N95 or similar mask that is capable of filtering out particulates on hand

Know How to Look Up Local Air Quality

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) provides information about local air quality and "Spare the Air" days. Some transit agencies provide free rides on "Spare the Air" days to encourage public transit use over driving. Businesses are encouraged to allow telecommute during "Spare the Air" days to reduce pollutants from driving and to allow those with respiratory or heart conditions to remain home. 

The Environmental Protection Agency and it's partners run the AirNow service. Simply type in your zip code and see the current air quality data. 

During

During an Unhealthy Air Event

  • Wear an N95 or similar mask that is capable of filtering particulates
  • Keep windows and doors closed
  • Shut off exterior air intakes and vents; switch HVAC systems to "recirculate" mode
  • If you are not able to stay in your home, consider going to an emergency respite center
  • Turn on your air purifiers
  • Cancel or reschedule outdoor activities, especially strenuous activities as they cause individuals to breath harder and faster
  • Check on friends, family, and neighbors who may be at greater risk of negative effects from poor air quality
  • Stay hydrated during smoke events. Smoke and air conditioners can dry out the air and cause irritation to your eyes, airway, and sinuses

Spare the Air

The Spare the Air program by the BAAQMD provides the public with advance notice when air quality is expected to be unhealthy. Spare the Air can occur both in summertime and in wintertime. Here is some important information about Spare the Air:

  • Wood burning is prohibited during a Spare the Air alert
  • Many transit agencies offer free rides on Spare the Air alert days to encourage a reduction in driving
  • Business owners are encouraged to permit telecommute work wherever possible to protect the health of their employees and to reduce the amount of pollution created

Do you want to learn how to understand the Air Quality Index (AQI) score? Check out this Spare the Air guide.

After

After an Unhealthy Air Event

Once the unhealthy air event has passed, we recommend taking the following steps:

  • Replace the air filter in your HVAC system and all air purification units
  • If smoke entered your home, open your windows to ventilate and move smoke out
  • Check medication and inhaler levels, you may need to order a refill sooner than usual - consult with a physician for more information
  • If ash or soot was part of a smoke event, wear an N95 or similar mask while cleaning contaminated surfaces; you may need to wash or discard affected garden produce
  • Vacuum your home as ash or soot may have been tracked into the house; avoid dry sweeping as that can cause ash and soot to go airborne

Emergency Respite Centers

Emergency Respite Centers (ERC) provide indoor spaces with cleaner air and cooler temperatures. They are open to anyone who is seeking respite from high temperatures or poor air quality, especially our unsheltered neighbors. The City of Oakland will open Emergency Respite Centers when:

  • The EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches "very unhealthy" levels of AQI 200 or above (see AirNow.gov)
  • The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures of 95 degrees or more for two days in a row, or
  • The outdoor air temperature reaches 100 degrees.

Potential ERC Locations

Emergency Respite Centers may open at the following locations:

  • North Oakland Senior Center, 5714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
  • Fruitvale Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 3301 East 12th Street, #271
  • City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
  • 81st Avenue Library, 1021 81st Avenue

Potential Cooling Center Locations:

Cooling centers may open at these locations with extended hours. If no cooling center has been opened, you may still visit these facilities during regular operating hours. Library Hours

  • Asian Branch Library
  • Brookfield Branch Library
  • Dimond Branch Library
  • Eastmont Branch Library
  • Elmhurst Branch Library
  • Fruitvale Branch Library
  • Piedmont Branch Library
  • Rainbow Recreation Center
  • Redwood Recreation Center

Partial A/C for additional cooling centers:

  • Main Library (meeting room)
  • Rockridge Branch Library (meeting room, teen zone)
  • 81st Ave Branch Library (meeting room, computer lab)

Cleaner air centers:

  • 81st Ave Library
  • North Oakland Senior Center
  • Oakland City Hall
  • Fruitvale Library

These locations are subject to change; check back here to confirm, or subscribe to AC Alerts to receive a phone call, text message, or email when Emergency Respite Centers are open. Libraries are open to the public. See Expanded Library Hours for current hours of operation. 

Additional Resources

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