Oregon Wildfires Cloud Palo Alto Air

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued a health advisory Monday afternoon because of smoke in the air from wildfires burning in Southern Oregon.

While the air was deemed unhealthy Monday, on Tuesday particulate levels are forecast to be elevated but not unhealthy.

The smoke is moving along the California coastline and is being pushed ashore by winds

Bay Area residents are advised to:

• Go to www.baaqmd.gov or www.sparetheair.org to check real-time air quality;
• Reduce exposure to smoky air by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed;
• Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate;
• If air smells of smoke, limit outdoor activities to avoid unnecessary exposure;
• If you have asthma or other lung disease, make sure you follow your doctor's directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
• If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat and irritated sinuses.

Elevated particulate matter in the air can trigger asthma attacks.

Elderly persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses are particularly susceptible to elevated air pollution levels and should take extra precautions to avoid exposure.

For more information about smoke impacts please visit www.sparetheair.org or www.airquality.org/smokeimpact/.