San Francisco air quality still ‘unhealthy’

Update: As of 5 p.m., the AQI in San Francisco is at 157.

Following Saturday’s smoke and haze, San Francisco’s air quality on Sunday isn’t expected to get much better. The same goes for the East Bay and the rest of the Bay Area.

As of noon today, SF’s Air Quality Index [AQI] is at 156.

Residents should limit their time outside. Denizens are also encouraged to wear N95 face masks while outdoors due to fine particulate matter in the smoke that has blanketed the Bay Area since last week.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.”

The air isn’t expected to get better until at least late Tuesday, when rain and wind move through the area midweek.

Events that were supposed to happen today have been canceled due to the poor air quality, like march to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Jonestown.

Also, there will be no Cable Car service Sunday, with bus shuttles providing service on the Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California lines.

San Francisco residents seeking refuge from the air can visit public and private spaces open today with filtered air, like the San Francisco Main Library (100 Larkin Street), Westfield San Francisco Centre (865 Market Street), Stonestown Galleria (3251 20th Avenue), and SFMOMA (151 3rd Street).

As of Sunday morning the Camp Fire in Butte County torched approximately 149,500 acres. The blaze is at 60 percent containment.

The death toll has jumped to 76 and the list of missing persons grew to 1,300.