Toxic, Smoke-Filled Air Chokes SF & Bay Area
Although we figured it out just by opening our curtains and looking outside this morning, thanks to SF Gate for confirming that the air quality on Friday morning was among the worst of the entire fire season.
Today’s air is considered “Very Unhealthy” throughout much of the Bay Area. Why is it so bad today? The SJSU FireWeatherLab says that as opposed to a few days ago when the smoke was higher up in the atmosphere (causing the orange glow) today it’s a lot worse because smoke is trapped below 500 meters with very high concentrations at the surface and under 250 meters
See the latest air quality updates from Bay Area Air Quality Management District | PurpleAir | AirNow
With hardly any wind forecast today, the heavy smoke is likely to persist throughout the day. Fortunately starting Saturday, the air quality in San Francisco is forecast to be “moderate”
Updated Bay Area Air Quality News
- Muni is Free today to help people have access to weather relief centers – 10:04am – 9/11/20
- Satellite images of Bay Area show thick band of smoke slowly shifting SW – 10:02 – 9/11/20
- “SF Public Library to Go Services” shut down Friday due to air quality – 9:41am – 9/11/20
- Main Library, Chinatown & Mission Bay SF Library branches open to public as “air respite” centers on Friday from 10am to 5:30pm – 9:41am – 9/11/20
- Muir Woods, Alcatraz, Fort Point all closed Friday – 9:16am – 9/11/20
- Smoke now trapped below 500 meters with high concentrations at surface – 9/11/20
9/11 8 AM UPDATE: Air Quality is currently PURPLE- Very Unhealthy. Children and people with respiratory diseases should avoid all physical activity outdoors. If you do go outside, make sure to wear a mask & keep physical distance. https://t.co/KEPzIeJQ7r pic.twitter.com/8ULGr46Jz6
— San Francisco Department of Emergency Management😷 (@SF_emergency) September 11, 2020
Due to the extremely unhealthy air, the Main Library, Chinatown and Mission Bay locations will open as air respite centers today, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. #SFPLToGo service is suspended until the Air Quality Index falls below 150. You can monitor at https://t.co/eUxDsM1Czz pic.twitter.com/oDa8CmGf6k
— SF Public Library (@SFPublicLibrary) September 11, 2020
These areas are CLOSED today: @MuirWoodsNPS, @AlcatrazIsland & @FortPointNHS.
Current air quality in our parklands may a pose risk to everyone on some level. Some individuals may experience more serious health effects.
Visitors should avoid unnecessary outdoor activity. https://t.co/PRFuFu8VXY
— Golden Gate NPS Alerts (@GGNRANPSAlerts) September 11, 2020
Satellite imagery shows a thick band of smoke at higher levels gradually shifting SW.
Below this, near surface smoke (+fog=smog) is driving poor visibility & air quality statewide.
An arriving dry storm is expected to bring improving conditions late weekend to early next week. pic.twitter.com/0P7b0vtcGx
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) September 11, 2020
Many ‘very unhealthy’ AQI values around the Bay Area this morning. #Smoke is trapped below 500 m now with very high concentrations at surface and 250 m. #SJSU @wildfirecenter #CAwx pic.twitter.com/hiFVxAStaX
— SJSU FireWeatherLab (@FireWeatherLab) September 11, 2020
Light overnight winds allowed smoke to seep down from above the shallow marine layer, resulting in widespread Unhealthy & Very Unhealthy conditions. We do not anticipate conditions to improve today, and air quality may degrade as more smoke is expected to mix down to the ground. pic.twitter.com/I1wvhOhFNi
— Bay Area Air Quality (@AirDistrict) September 11, 2020
