Air Quality and Safety

Understanding Air Quality Index (AQI)
YSAQMD recommends that community members use the www.airnow.gov website for real-time air quality. This tool incorporates YSAQMD monitors along with California Air Resources Board (CARB) and U.S. EPA data to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date AQI information for your locality. This site links to fire.airnow.gov that provides smoke and fire information as a supplement to the AQI. YSAQMD does not recommend PurpleAir.com as the sensors tend to overestimate levels especially once AQI reached 150+ and are not adjusted on that website. These sensors are incorporated with an adjustment equation on fire.airnow.gov and sensors that are routinely inaccurate are excluded to ensure data collection is as accurate and reliable.

AirNow Fact Sheet

Sign up for YSAQMD EnviroFlash Updates on Air Quality
YSAQMD EnviroFlash subscription allows people to sign up to receive air quality forecasts, “Don’t Light Tonight” advisories and air quality information for exceptional events (i.e. wildfires). The sign-up page is located at: ysaqmd.enviroflash.org

YSAQMD issues Air Quality Alerts when ground-level ozone and/or particle pollution levels are expected to be Unhealthy. You will be notified approximately one day in advance of an Air Quality Alert. The service is free of charge, and you are only required to provide your email address or cell number. This information will not be shared with any other organization, and it will only be used to transmit the EnviroFlash notifications.

With EnviroFlash, you can decide if you would like to receive an email when pollution levels are forecast to be unhealthy, or if you would like to receive DAILY air quality forecasts. You can change your preferences at any time. Meteorologists develop AQI forecasts using actual air quality data along with weather forecast information. These forecasts are then translated into a graphic below that illustrates how healthy or unhealthy the air is.

Air Quality Index

Index Category Recommended Action
0 - 50 Good Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.
51 - 100 Moderate Extremely sensitive children and adults should refrain from strenuous outdoor activities.
101 - 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Sensitive children and adults should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
151 - 200 Unhealthy Sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exposure and others should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
201 - 300 Very Unhealthy Sensitive groups should stay indoors and others should avoid outdoor activity.
301 - 500 Hazardous Everyone should avoid all outdoor exertion.

Ash Clean-Up Information
The debris and ash from homes and structures that are damaged or destroyed by fire can contain asbestos and other hazardous materials. Ash and microscopic asbestos fibers can create serious health issues if inhaled.

Please visit the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (YSAQMD) Wildfire Smoke Information page for safety and clean-up tips.

Protect Yourself from Ash Fact Sheet

Leaf Blower Regulations
YSAQMD does not recommend the use of leaf blowers when ash is present as it causes ash to become airborne and increases the risk of inhalation on harmful particulate matter by residents and animals. City of Davis crews will temporarily discontinue use of blowers when necessary in accordance with this guidance.

As for the regulation of leaf blowers, YSAQMD does not currently have any such regulation in the District. Cities can adopt regulations for their jurisdiction. On September 15, 2020, The City of Davis City Council voted in favor of creating a temporary, emergency ordinance to ban all leaf blowers through October 31, 2020. This emergency ordinance is coming back to City Council at a future meeting for discussion and approval. The Council also directed staff to research a permanent ordinance regarding the use of leaf blowers. For more information, please visit the Emergency Action on Leaf Blowers page.