Smoke drifting north from a fast-growing wildfire in Monterey County has pushed air quality in Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette into the "Moderate" range, prompting the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to issue an advisory through Thursday, Aug. 13.
The advisory, issued Tuesday, Aug. 11, covers the South Bay and East Bay as smoke from the Timber Fire settles over the region. The district said smoke impacts are expected to continue Wednesday, Aug. 12, and that conditions can change rapidly, making ground-level smoke difficult to predict.
The Timber Fire ignited Sunday, Aug. 9, southeast of the unincorporated community of Loma Vista in Monterey County. By Tuesday afternoon, the blaze had grown to roughly 2,500 acres with just 5% containment, according to Patch. By Wednesday the fire was nearing 3,000 acres, KRON 4 reported. CAL FIRE said flames are spreading continuously through grass, brush and oak woodland, forcing multiple evacuation orders and the closure of all state parks in the Big Sur area. As of Tuesday, 259 structures were threatened.
The air district stressed that pollution levels are not expected to exceed the EPA's national 24-hour health standard, and a Spare the Air Alert is not in effect. That makes this a lower-tier advisory, distinct from the Spare the Air Alert issued Aug. 1 in response to the Woodside Fire in Sonoma County.
Still, the district warned that wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter that can irritate eyes and airways, cause coughing and aggravate sinus conditions. Older adults, children and people with respiratory illnesses are especially vulnerable.
What residents should do
The air district is advising Lamorinda residents to:
- Stay indoors with doors and windows closed when smoke is visible or the smell is strong.
- Set car ventilation systems to recirculate rather than drawing in outside air.
- Limit prolonged outdoor exertion, particularly for sensitive groups.
- Monitor real-time air quality at fire.airnow.gov.
The EPA's AirNow map showed "Moderate" air quality across the inland East Bay, including the Lamorinda corridor, as of Tuesday afternoon. Areas closer to the coast registered "Good" readings.
The advisory expires Thursday. The air district said it will continue monitoring conditions and could extend the advisory if smoke persists. Residents can find additional health guidance at baaqmd.gov/wildfiresafety.
