Bay Area Air Quality Advisory Extended Over Wildfires, New NorCal Fire Adds To Hazy Skies
FRESNO COUNTY (CBS SF) – An air quality advisory was extended yet again as smoke from wildfires burning in other parts of the state drifts into the Bay Area. Meanwhile, firefighters continue to make progress in battling the Mineral Fire, which has been raging for nearly a week.
As of Monday morning, the fire that has been burning west of Coalinga in Fresno County since July 13th is 49 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire has scorched 28,221 acres (44.09 square miles), an area nearly the size of San Francisco.
The agency said in its update that they were able to construct new containment lines and strengthen existing lines overnight. Seven structures have been destroyed, while 60 structures remain threatened, Cal Fire said.
Previous evacuation orders and road closures for parts of Fresno County were lifted Monday afternoon. No injuries have been reported.
Officials said containment of the Mineral Fire is expected on Thursday. The cause is under investigation.
While smoke from the Mineral Fire has led to hazy skies in the Bay Area for days, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District said a new fire burning in Northern California has become a concern. The Hog Fire has been burning in Lassen County west of Susanville since Saturday. As of Monday, the fire has burned 5,800 acres and is 5 percent contained.
Smoke from the Hog Fire is already impacting air quality in the Reno and Lake Tahoe areas.
Back in the Bay Area, the air district extended its air quality advisory through Tuesday (.pdf) due to the smoke.
Air quality officials said smoke will likely remain aloft, but particulate matter is not expected to exceed the national standard. Officials continued to urge people, especially the elderly, children and those with respiratory illnesses to take extra precautions.
