SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – A peat moss fire in Pittsburg continues to send smoke billowing over Eastern Contra Costa County, prompting the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to extend an air quality advisory through at least Friday.
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The Marsh Fire originally broke out on May 28 at a homeless encampment near Suisun and Solano avenues in Baypoint and has burned 500 acres of decomposed vegetation in the over six weeks since it ignited.
The blaze experienced a flare up on Saturday when winds increased, resulting in worsened air quality and heavy smoke throughout the region. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is considering flooding the wetlands area where the fire is burning to mitigate any further damage.
"We kept our windows closed at the apartment the last two or three nights just because of the smoke," Eastern Contra Costa County resident Allen Payton told KCBS Radio.
He added that he almost was forced to put a mask on just to go outside.
The air quality advisory, which was initially issued on Tuesday, applies to Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood.
"If you smell smoke, protect your health by avoiding exposure," agency officials tweeted. "Stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside, if it's not too hot to do so."
Under Air Quality Advisories, the agency recommends that elderly persons, children and individuals with respiratory illnesses avoid exposure to outside air as much as possible. However, pollution levels do not exceed federal health standards, which would prompt a Spare the Air Alert.
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