Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District

Home
United States
Grass Valley, CA
Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District

Directions Website

"Preserving air quality and protecting the public health and public welfare in Nevada, Plumas and Sierra counties."

09/09/2025

Stay Safe From Wildfires When Seconds Count🔥🔥

Wildfires can start and spread quickly—stay informed when it matters most.

Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides real-time alerts about nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts. The app is staffed by experienced volunteers, including firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders, who monitor and report verified information as events unfold.

Don’t wait—get timely, reliable wildfire alerts to help you make informed decisions and stay safe.

Learn more and download the app by clicking the link below.
📱https://www.watchduty.org/

09/04/2025

🌲🔥 Stay Informed with ALERTWest Webcams 🔥🌲

Did you know? ALERTWest wildfire detection cameras are stationed across the Western U.S.—often on lookout towers and other high points—to give us a clear view of changing conditions. These cameras provide real-time and time-lapse footage of weather, smoke, and fire activity, all accessible to the public.

These photos were taken from a Lookout Tower on Banner Mountain in Nevada City.

Whether you’re monitoring wildfire behavior or just keeping an eye on local skies, these webcams are a valuable tool to stay safe and informed during disasters.

👀 Check them out here: alertwest.live

08/28/2025

Scott Coughlin, Air Pollution Control Specialist II and Julie Hunter, Air Pollution Control Officer / Executive Director for Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District are committed to providing accurate, up-to-date air quality information to the people they serve in Nevada, Sierra and Plumas counties. ❤️

Did You Know? Julie is a Certified Air Resources Advisor (ARA)—a critical role during wildfire season.

Each summer, Julie and other ARAs are deployed to large wildfires across Northern California to work directly with local fire teams and deliver timely, accurate smoke and air quality information to the public.

This summer, Julie was deployed to Klamath National Forest to monitor impacts of the Marble Complex Fire.

Learn more about what we do by visiting 👉myairdistrict.com

08/22/2025

🚨 Tahoe National Forest moves to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Friday, Aug. 22 🚨

With hot, dry conditions and rising fire danger, stricter rules are in place to reduce human-caused wildfires.

What’s prohibited under Stage 2?

No campfires, stove fires or charcoal grills outside of developed recreation sites with a host.

No smoking except in enclosed vehicles, buildings or cleared areas.

No off-road use of internal combustion engines (except at Prosser Pits OHV Area and boats).

No welding or torches with open flame.

Campfire permits allow portable gas, kerosene or liquid-fuel stoves and lanterns if used safely in cleared areas. Get your free permit: permit.preventwildfiresca.org

Why it matters:
This season, 82% of fires on the forest have been human-caused. Let’s do our part to protect our forests, homes and air quality.

See full restrictions and sites: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/alerts/stage-2-fire-restrictions

08/21/2025

Wildfire Smoke Season is Here – Are You Ready?
🔎 Know Your Risk

While healthy adults and children may experience only mild irritation from wildfire smoke, certain groups are more vulnerable to serious health impacts—this includes older adults, young children, and people with heart or lung conditions. Everyone should take steps to reduce their exposure.

✅ Be Smoke Ready
Learn what you can do before, during and after a wildfire smoke event to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Before Smoke Arrives: Stock up on air filters and create a clean air space at home.

When Smoke Is In The Air: Stay indoors, keep windows closed and limit outdoor activities.

After a Fire: Ventilate your home when the air is clear and replace air filters.

Visit AirNow.gov to learn more about how to prepare and protect your health throughout fire season.

👉https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/be-smoke-ready/

08/18/2025

🚨 Stage II Fire Restrictions Begin Aug. 15 on Plumas National Forest 🚨

Hot, dry weather has increased fire danger. Starting Friday, Aug. 15, Stage II restrictions will be in effect:

🔥 Campfires only in designated campgrounds with a host, in established rings (see Forest Service list).
🚭 Smoking only inside a vehicle/building, in listed campgrounds, or in a cleared area at least 3 feet wide.
🚙 Engines & generators only on designated roads and trails (boat engines exempt).
🪓 Chainsaws allowed for firewood cutting—check daily status: 1-800-847-7766.
🔥 No welding or open-flame torches.
✅ Portable stoves/lanterns with a shut-off valve are allowed with a free CA Campfire Permit: https://permit.preventwildfiresca.org/

More than 80% of this year’s wildfires on Plumas NF are human-caused. Please do your part: never leave campfires in allowable recreation areas unattended and make sure they are dead out and cold to the touch.

📞 Report suspected wildfires immediately by calling 911.

Full details ➡️ www.fs.usda.gov/plumas

08/15/2025

Stay in The Know!🤓

Want to be the first to know when Health Advisories are issued? Join our email list and get important updates delivered straight to your inbox.

You can also check the Daily Air Quality Report anytime on our website to stay informed and protect your health.

🔗Sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.myairdistrict.com/email-advisories-newsletter
🔗Check Daily Air Quality Report here: https://www.myairdistrict.com/air-quality-info

08/14/2025

Hi there!👋

Welcome to Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District (NSAQMD). We are excited to bring you seasonal air quality news and information you can use.

WHO WE ARE

We are a small staff with two offices and love the work we do serving mountain and foothill communities in three Northern Californian counties. The Air Pollution Control Officer reports to the Governing Board of Directors, composed of two County Supervisors from each Northern California county we serve.

WHAT WE DO

Since 1986, we’ve been helping Nevada, Plumas and Sierra Counties breathe a little easier. Mandated by state law, we achieve and maintain federal and state air quality standards to protect public health.

You can learn more by visiting our website at myairdistrict.com

08/12/2025

🔥Wildfire season is underway, and that means smoke can impact our air quality at any time.

Stay informed and protect your health by using the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map to track real-time conditions in your area.

👉👉https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/

Address

200 Litton Drive, Ste 320
Grass Valley, CA
95945

Website

http://myairdistrict.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.