Unhealthy levels of smoke from Northern California fires trigger an advisory.

The Monterey Bay Air Resources District has issued a wildfire smoke air quality advisory, due to an influx of smoke from Northern California wildfires. The concentration of smoke in some areas of the county reached the “unhealthy” category of the Air Quality Index, including around Pebble Beach and Soledad as of this morning, Wednesday, Sept. 20. Numerous other areas along the coast and in Salinas have been labeled “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

The conditions could last until Thursday night. Officials recommend that people in areas of unhealthy AQI levels limit activity by staying indoors with the doors and windows closed to avoid breathing in smoke. Those with health concerns may want to check with their doctor about whether to leave the area.

“Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, it’s probably not a good time to go for a run. And it’s probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors,” a MBARD press release states.

Officials also recommend keeping particulate matter down in the home by avoiding using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves and candles. Vacuuming is also not recommended, since it stirs up particles already present in the home.

“And don’t smoke. That puts even more pollution in your lungs, and in the lungs of people around you.”

People are also asked to limit driving, lawn mowing and leaf blowing.

The winds carrying the smoke are expected to shift Thursday evening and into Friday, which will bring “a noticeable improvement to air quality in the region.”

Updates on the smoke situation are available on the MBARD website at mbard.org/wildfire-smoke-information-and-resources.