The Spare The Air program spans from Vacaville’s roots in agribusiness to the foothills of Placer and El Dorado Counties and all diverse communities in between. Whether exploring the outdoors, commuting to work, or participating in a sporting activity outside, it’s our shared responsibility to protect the air quality where we call home – the greater Sacramento region!
Whether exploring the outdoors, commuting to work, or participating in a sporting activity outside, it’s our shared responsibility to protect the air quality!
This public health education effort is a partnership between five regional air districts:
- Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
- Placer County Air Pollution Control District
- El Dorado County Air Quality Management District
- Feather River Air Quality Management District
- Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District
The Spare The Air program is dedicated to measurably improving the region’s air quality and helping residents protect themselves from air pollution by providing air quality forecasts, real-time readings, air pollution alerts, and educational materials for schools, businesses, residents, and community organizations.
The Spare The Air campaign runs from May through October each year, which is known as the summer smog season. Ground-level ozone, or smog, is the primary pollutant during this time of year and is monitored throughout the Spare The Air season. During wildfire smoke episodes, Spare The Air may provide PM2.5 forecasts rather than ground-level ozone, as needed.
Main contributors to unfavorable ground-level ozone conditions include a mix of high heat, relatively stagnant air, and greenhouse gas emissions trapped inside of the Sacramento Valley “bowl,” which presents a serious air pollution problem during the summer months. With air pollution data varying hourly, it is important to check air quality conditions before participating in any outdoor activity.
Daily local and regional air quality forecasts are provided via AirNow.gov.
The Spare The Air program spans from Vacaville’s roots in agribusiness to the foothills of Placer and El Dorado Counties and all diverse communities in between. Whether exploring the outdoors, commuting to work, or participating in a sporting activity outside, it’s our shared responsibility to protect the air quality where we call home – the greater Sacramento region!
This public health education effort is a partnership between five regional air districts:
- Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
- Placer County Air Pollution Control District
- El Dorado County Air Quality Management District
- Feather River Air Quality Management District
- Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District
The Spare The Air program is dedicated to measurably improving the region’s air quality and helping residents protect themselves from air pollution by providing air quality forecasts, real-time readings, air pollution alerts, and educational materials for schools, businesses, residents, and community organizations.
The Spare The Air campaign runs from May through October each year, which is known as the summer smog season. Ground-level ozone, or smog, is the primary pollutant during this time of year and is monitored throughout the Spare The Air season. During wildfire smoke episodes,Spare The Air may provide PM2.5 forecasts rather than ground-level ozone, as needed.
Main contributors to unfavorable ground-level ozone conditions include a mix of high heat, relatively stagnant air, and greenhouse gas emissions trapped inside of the Sacramento Valley “bowl,” which presents a serious air pollution problem during the summer months. With air pollution data varying hourly, it is important to check air quality conditions before participating in any outdoor activity.
Daily local and regional air quality forecasts are provided via AirNow.gov.
Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area
The “Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area” covers all, or portions, of the five air districts that participate in the Spare The Air program. This geographical zoning is outlined by the California Air Resources Board and creates the target zip codes for the Spare The Air program.
(click graphic for larger image)
Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area
The “Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area” covers all, or portions, of the five air districts that participate in the Spare The Air program. This geographical zoning is outlined by the California Air Resources Board and creates the target zip codes for the Spare The Air program.
Spare The Air History
The Spare The Air program first began in 1995 in Sacramento County first and soon became the region’s leading public health education campaign. The program was designed to encourage drivers to voluntarily reduce driving when air pollution was approaching or at unhealthy levels.
Air pollution and the number of Spare The Air alerts issued each year vary. The effectiveness of the Spare The Air program has been measured throughout the years, through a mix of telephone and email surveys conducted with residents living within the Air Districts’ reach. Awareness of the program, self-reported driving reduction, and estimated emission reductions are all data points used in evaluating the program. We are always looking for ways to improve the recognizability and importance of the Spare The Air season.