Sand Fire burning in Northern California brings area’s first air pollution alert of 2019

The Sand Fire, California’s first blaze of its 2019 wildfire season, burned 70 miles northeast of San Francisco, between Napa and Sacramento.¹

Since the fire erupted, record high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity contributed to its rapid growth. In total, the Sand Fire scorched 2,512 acres and left thousands of California residents without power.²

The Sand Fire prompted the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to announce the first air pollution alert of 2019 for Yolo County, as Sacramento air quality and San Francisco air quality wavered from “moderate” to “unhealthy”.³ Residents across the Bay Area took to social media to share images of the smoky skies and dramatic sunsets resulting from the fire.

While California’s Sand Fire has been contained, the area’s sweltering temperatures during wildfire season is a sobering reminder that fires can break out at any given moment.

Wildfire smoke travels farther than you think. Stay informed about how your air quality is affected by wildfire smoke by visiting AirVisual Map for ultra-accurate wildfire and air quality data.