California slammed by wildfires, heat, unhealthy smoky air Northern Californians are facing multiple threats as wildfires, unhealthy smoky air, extreme heat, the looming possibility of power outages and an ongoing pandemic coincideSAN FRANCISCO -- Northern Californians were confronted with multiple threats as wildfires, unhealthy smoky air, extreme heat, the looming possibility of power outages and an ongoing pandemic forced many to weigh the risks of staying indoors or going outside. There was no relief in sight: the forecast for Thursday called for some of the worst air in the world, with the air quality index doubling in the densely populated parts of the Bay Area. The region's air district extended a “Spare the Air” alert through Sunday, which makes it illegal to burn wood. “COVID-19 is forcing us outside to reduce transmission risk while extreme wildfire smoke is forcing us back inside where the air is better. Wednesday's poor air quality came on quickly as the Bay Area was socked in by exploding wildfires to the north, south and east.

Source: ABC News August 19, 2020 21:55 UTC