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The Bay Area Air District issued an air quality advisory until Wednesday as wildfire smoke from Monterey County is expected to drift into the South Bay and East Bay.
On Sunday, the Timber Fire started southeast of the unincorporated area of Loma Vista in Monterey County before spreading across several hundred acres. By Tuesday morning, the Timber Fire had grown to 2,000 acres, with only 5% contained.
Cal Fire said flames are continuously spreading through grass, brush and oak woodland, forcing authorities to issue multiple evacuation orders and close all state parks in the Big Sur area.
On Tuesday, the Bay Area Air District said smoky, hazy skies and the smell of smoke may affect areas in the South and East Bay. The air district said pollution levels were not expected to exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 24-hour health standards, but the air quality could still become unhealthy as smoke conditions change.
The air district said wildfire smoke contains particulate matter and other pollutants that can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing or irritated sinuses. Older adults, children and people with respiratory illnesses are especially vulnerable to smoke exposure and should take extra precautions, the agency said.
Conditions will continue to be monitored throughout the region and residents can check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fire and Smoke Map for air quality levels in their city at fire.airnow.gov.
This story was written by Kelcie Lee for Bay City News Service.
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