Poor Air Quality
Smoke exposure is one of the most concerning secondary impacts of wildfires. Smoke generated by wildfire consists of visible and invisible emissions that contain particulate matter (soot, tar, water vapor, and minerals), gases (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides), and toxics (formaldehyde, benzene). Emissions from wildfires depend on the type of fuel, the moisture content of the fuel, the efficiency (or temperature) of combustion, and the weather. The biggest threat from smoke is fine particles. Fine particles in smoke can get into eyes and respiratory systems, cause burning eyes, runny noses, and illness like bronchitis, as well as aggravate chronic heart and lung disease potentially resulting in premature death for people with these conditions.235Wildfire smoke typically kills many times as many people as wildfire flames.
The City monitors local air quality and takes action when air quality deteriorates to the point where it has the potential to impact health.
What can you do? Prepare for Poor Air Quality
Transportation-related emissions and smoke from wildfires contribute to poor air quality.
Stay informed about the air quality forecast. Concentrations of pollutants are reported at different Air Quality Monitoring Stations throughout the region. When a SPARE THE AIR alert is issued, limit driving. When a Spare the Air Alert is called due to high levels of fine particulate pollution, the Air District's wood-burning regulation makes it illegal indoors and outdoors throughout the Bay Area to burn wood, fire logs, pellets, or other solid fuels in a fireplace, wood stove, outdoor fire pit, or other wood-burning device. This regulation applies to both households and businesses like hotels and restaurants.
What is the City doing? City Actions
Air quality worsens during periods of extreme heat and when wildfires burn. Poor air quality poses a significant risk to the population of Cupertino, and especially to socially and physically vulnerable populations. To address poor air quality the City is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and sharing public information.
Cupertino's goal is to reduce our City's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the year 2040.
The City is following the goals and development path of the Paris Climate Agreement and supports regional, state, and national policies which help reduce global emissions.
Cupertino’s path toward creating a healthy, livable and vibrant place for its current and future residents to learn, work and play is outlined in its Climate Action Plan. An additional greenhouse gas inventory is included in the Climate Action Plan 2.0. visit engagecupertino.org/climate-action to learn more.
Learn more about the City Current, Upcoming and Long-term work plans on the Climate Action page. Progress reports are also available on this page.