Heads Up, Bay Area! Although the #KincadeFire isn't causing smoke issues over the Bay Area today, shifting winds tomorrow will likely cause the smoke to be directly over much of the region. Impacts to SFO may begin as early as 11am Friday. pic.twitter.com/3tlCIXIC5r
— NWS CWSU Oakland (@NWSCWSUZOA) October 24, 2019
Dear SSFUSD Community:
Please be advised that we are actively monitoring air quality conditions in South San Francisco and the surrounding local area which may, over the course of the next 24 hours, be affected by the Kincade Fire northeast of Geyserville.
The fire has burned over 10,000 acres, and the smoke is currently concentrated in Sonoma County. Forecasters are anticipating, however, a change in wind direction within the next 24 hours, which could spread the smoky air into the greater Bay Area by Friday morning.
Please note that we follow the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAMQD) Air Quality Index (AQI) which measures levels of health concern:
0 – 50: Good, no health effects
51 – 100: Moderate
101 – 150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
151 – 200: Unhealthy
201 – 300: Very Unhealthy
301 – 500: Hazardous
If we reach levels within the 101-150 range, which is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, students with known respiratory conditions such as asthma or other vulnerable health issues will be encouraged to refrain from outdoor activities that involve heavy physical exertion, such as athletic practices. All outdoor school activities would continue as normal, and we would continue to closely monitor air quality for possible changes.
If we reach levels over 151, which would be Unhealthy, we will activate our limited outdoor activity protocol for the remainder of the day. We would direct our school sites to avoid prolonged periods of outdoor exposure. This includes modifying daily activity that would otherwise be conducted outdoors, such as moving physical education classes, lunch activities, recess, outdoor rallies, sporting events, etc., to indoor facilities, or in some cases, cancellation of activities.
Parents/guardians of students with respiratory conditions, such as asthma or other sensitive health issues, may choose to pick up students early from school or keep their students at home. Absences for this reason will be excused. We encourage any students with health issues which are exacerbated by the present condition, and those who experience any difficulties as a result of the air quality, to immediately notify school staff.
As we will be actively monitoring conditions in South San Francisco and all local areas of our schools, we will provide further updates as conditions may change throughout the day.
Please note that school remains in session as regularly scheduled.
For the most recent information and changes in air quality status please visit http://www.baaqmd.gov/ or https://airnow.gov.