SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Smoky skies are moving into the Sacramento area due to a fire burning near the Bay Area, officials said.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality District said the delta breeze is blowing smoke into the county due to a fire burning near Fairfield in Solano County.
"Delta winds off the ocean are moving toward the northeast, pushing a high volume of smoke from the Fairfield area, into Sacramento and surrounding foothill spots," said ABC10 meteorologist Carley Gomez. "Air quality is expected to be unhealthy tonight and pollution may sit in the foothills, especially since we’re still dealing with hot temperatures and calmer winds tonight."
Cosumnes Fire Department in Elk Grove added that the smoke appears to be drifting into the area. They said there is no active fire in Elk Grove.
Fairfield Fire Department confirmed with ABC10 that the fire ushering smoke into Sacramento County started in the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area around 4:45 p.m. Acreage for the fire is still being determined.
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WILDFIRE PREPS
According to Cal Fire, the 2021 fire season started earlier than previous years, but also ended earlier, as well. January 2021 saw just under 1,200 acres burned from nearly 300 wildfires. Fires picked up in the summer when the Dixie Fire burned in five Northern California counties — Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Lassen and Tehama. The Dixie Fire started on July 13 and wasn't contained until Oct. 25, burning nearly 1 million acres. It has since become the second-largest wildfire in state history and the largest non-complex fire.
Overall, 2.5 million acres were burned in 2021 from 8,835 wildfires. Over 3,600 structures were destroyed and 3 people were killed.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, and supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and knowing your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, visit www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
PG&E customers can also subscribe to alerts via text, email, or phone call. If you're a PG&E customer, visit the Profile & Alerts section of your account to register.
What questions do you have about the latest wildfires? If you're impacted by the wildfires, what would you like to know? Text the ABC10 team at (916) 321-3310.
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