We are monitoring air quality forecasts along with county emergency officials. During air quality events, Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless (ACHCH) has N95 masks available for outreach providers who can distribute them to unsheltered people experiencing homelessness.

Please contact achch@acgov.org or call (510) 891-8950 to pick up masks.

Please go to these two sites for up-to-date information about local air quality levels:

​Regional/Bay Area Wide:  Air Now (EPA)

Local (by city):  BAAQMD (Bay Area Air Quality Management District)

Map-based, official sources:  Air Visual

California Wildfires Smoke Forecasts: California Smoke Information

Wildfire Smoke & Your Health FAQ

Alameda County has a list of clean air facilities and cooling centers to take refuge from unhealthy air quality.

We also urge everyone to sign up for Alameda County Emergency Alert (AC Alert) to receive updates via text or email.

When dangerous and unhealthy air quality settles upon the county, all residents, especially aging people, children and people with medical conditions, are put at high risk.

Review current Countywide guidance when air levels are in the “unhealthy” or higher range. The best option for everyone, especially children, the elderly, and persons with chronic breathing or heart issues, is to stay indoors with windows and doors closed and limit or avoid outdoor activities. Alameda County has a list of clean air facilities and cooling centers to take refuge from unhealthy air quality.

• There is no clear evidence that N95 respirator masks used by the general public are beneficial to a person’s health during a poor air quality event, and they can actually make it harder for some people to breathe.
• N95 masks or higher are a last resort for people without access to safer indoor filtered air.
• According to statewide air mask guidance, some specific masks (N95s or higher) may be helpful for those who must be outdoors for long periods, but they must fit well and provide a tight seal around the wearer’s mouth and nose to be effective.
• N95 masks require a tight seal to work, so they may not protect men with beards or young children.
• Persons with chronic breathing or heart issues or other medical conditions should check with their health care provider before using an N95 mask, as they can make breathing more difficult.
• Bandanas (wet or dry), paper or surgical masks, or tissues held over the mouth and nose will not protect from wildfire smoke or small particulate matter in the air.

People living outdoors, in tents, or on the streets should exercise special caution. Best practice is to get indoors, especially in places where there is ventilation and air filters. Click here for county-wide cooling centers such as libraries, shelters, and cooling centers normally used in case of heat emergencies but equally effective during times of bad air quality. For a list of clean air facilities, click here. Please check to see if these resources are open before going.

Another tip for unsheltered persons is to wear appropriate particulate filter masks, such as an N95 mask. If air quality is projected to be at dangerous levels (red) for a sustained period of time, county, city, outreach workers, and community volunteers may distribute N95 air masks to unsheltered persons at risk. To receive or help distribute filter masks, please email us at achch@acgov.org. Masks provide limited but important protection to people in the open air—however, it’s best to stay indoors.

(Updated 02/15/2024)