The Air District issued the Bay Area’s first "Spare the Air" alert of the year on Monday.
People are asked to limit their driving and find alternative ways to travel on Memorial Day, such as biking, walking or public transit.
Officials said in a statement that they expect “light winds and hot temperatures, along with motor vehicle exhaust, will create elevated concentrations of ozone, or smog.”
"Spare the Air" alerts are issued when ozone pollution is forecasted to reach unhealthy levels.
Outdoor activity should only be one in the early morning hours when ozone concentration are lower.
“As traffic bounces back to pre-pandemic levels, hot temperatures and tailpipe exhaust are expected to cause unhealthy air quality this holiday weekend,” Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. “This alert highlights the need to reduce our driving and keep air quality healthy.”
The alert coincides with a heat advisory that’s in effect in parts of the Bay Area from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday with temperatures soaring across the region.
Temperatures in some areas around the bay are expected to peak in the mid-90’s while some North Bay regions could reach triple digits.
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