Dear Constituent,

Our region is facing yet another round of unhealthy, smoke-filled air due to the many wildfires. Last week, when we were hit by a historic heatwave, storms sent 11,000 lightning strikes that sparked more than 350 fires, many within the Bay Area that are still blazing.

With so many wildfires burning at the same time, it's essential that we all take safety precautions to protect our health from smoke and lung damaging particulate matter.  

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has declared that air in Alameda and Contra Costa counties is unhealthy for sensitive groups. This advisory may last for several more days and conditions may worsen.

Here are some safety tips to help keep you and your family safe:

• Children, older adults and those with breathing or heart issues should limit outdoor activities
• Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible to keep out smoke and particulate matter
• Set your home and car ventilation systems on re-circulate to prevent drawing in outside air
• Limit or avoid outdoor recreational and sports activities
• Do not use wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, lawn or leaf blowers, candles or incense, or barbecues. All of these release unhealthy particulate matter.
• Avoid smoking

If temperatures go up in the next few days, our region may also still experience rolling blackouts that may be needed to ensure that the state's electricity grid can handle electricity demand. Please see my email from earlier this week on precautions you can take to help reduce your electricity use which will help reduce the need for rolling blackouts.

I hope you find this information helpful. It is an honor serving you in the state Senate.

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
Senator, 9th District