Wildfire season complicates efforts to keep Berkeley schools safe from COVID-19
On bad air days, schools are instructed to close windows and doors and let the air purifiers work. But during the pandemic, that solution comes with its own problems.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Top Stories
In brief
Air quality alert issued as wildfire smoke descends on Bay Area
Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups in much of the Bay Area, and unhealthy for everyone at higher elevations.
How wildfires affect air quality in the Bay Area and what to do to protect yourself
How do wildfires affect air pollution? How bad is smoke for my health? How do I track air quality and protect myself from smoke?
Recent stories
Berkeleyside’s wildfire guide: Everything you need to know to prepare for and survive wildfires
Preparation advice, evacuation guidance and answers to your questions about air quality, power outages and defending your property.
Don’t toss your masks: How to use N95s and other air filters for fire season
In Berkeley and beyond, it’s not too soon to prepare for unhealthy air days.
What’s causing the stinky, sulfur smell tormenting people in Northwest Berkeley?
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District filed a violation against Berkeley Asphalt on Dec. 8 in response to complaints of a “burning, sulfurous” odor.
Bay Area wildfires are affecting air quality in Berkeley. Here are tips to protect your health
Wildfire season is upon us and the air quality locally will be very poor for the foreseeable future according to weather experts.
Update: Air quality in Berkeley has improved; now listed as ‘moderate’
Air quality in the city has been improving steadily over the day Monday, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s monitor in West Berkeley. As of noon, the rating was listed as moderate.
Berkeley air quality moves to ‘very unhealthy,’ AQI of 246
The air quality in Berkeley worsened throughout the day on Thursday.
Ash from Yolo County fire dusts East Bay, prompting officials to warn of health risks
Ash from a wildfire is creating hazy skies and a dusting of ash on cars, decks, and yards. Air quality officials advise that people stay indoors and shut their windows.
‘Red flag’ fire warning goes into effect Friday night
The elevated fire risk is expected to persist through Sunday morning.
Update: ‘Spare the Air’ alerts in Berkeley now through Thursday
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is warning of high pollution Tuesday, with air quality reaching levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups.
