Unhealthy air quality hangs over parts of Bay Area despite Christmas day fire ban
A stagnant cloud of smoke-filled air continues to pollute parts of the Bay Area creating unhealthy breathing conditions despite a Christmas ban on wood fires.
Air quality index readings remained above 100 in much of the Bay Area. Parts of East San Jose, Alameda, Fremont and Oakland surged above 150, by Sunday morning, according to, a real-time air quality measuring service. Readings between 101-150 mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups while anything above 151 means it’s unhealthy for everyone.
The poor air quality comes as local officials threaten $100 fines on burning firewood, which is the main driver of the low-slung cloud of polluted air hanging over the region. Light winds combined with low overnight temperatures have acted as a lid on pollution trapping the wood smoke closer to ground level, according to Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which issued a Spare the Air alert for Christmas weekend.
“Unfortunately, weather conditions are leading to significant smoke pollution buildup throughout the region that is expected to cause unhealthy air quality through the Christmas holiday,” Sharon Landers, interim executive officer of the Air District, said in a statement earlier this week. “It’s vital that we refrain from wood burning to reduce air pollution so all Bay Area residents can enjoy a healthier, happier holiday weekend.
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