Bay Area's excessive heat, low winds prompt another Spare the Air alert
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has announced Thursday will be the fourth straight day a Spare the Air alert is in effect in the region due to hot weather and weak winds that will combine with motor vehicle exhaust to create unhealthy levels of smog.
Temperatures that were expected to peak Wednesday at about 110 degrees in some inland Bay Area locations will be slightly lower Thursday but still around 100 degrees in the hottest spots, according to the National Weather Service.
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The heat, lack of wind and vehicle traffic are expected to cause unhealthy levels of smog, otherwise known as ozone. Breathing it in can cause throat irritation, chest pain and other health problems, with young children, older adults and people with respiratory and heart conditions being particularly susceptible.
On Spare the Air days, the air district encouraged people to only exercise outdoors in the early morning hours when smog levels are lower.
People can find out when a Spare the Air alert is in effect by visiting sparetheair.org, calling (800) HELP-AIR, downloading the Spare the Air app on their smartphone or find Spare the Air on social media.