The air quality dropped significantly Thursday in Hollister and hit the “unhealthy” range as of 1 p.m.
That prompted San Benito High School to cancel outdoor activities and practices after school Thursday. The school joined other regional institutions like Gavilan College, which closed the campus due to poor air quality Thursday.
The air quality index showed a measurement of 158 from a Fairview Road station as of 1 p.m. Thursday. A separate reading by the Monterey Bay Air Resources District had the AQI at 150 as of Thursday afternoon.
The AQI number spiked from a “moderate” reading of 82 mid-morning Thursday.
Anything from 100 to 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, and 150-200 is considered unhealthy overall.
The bad air quality has been attributed to the Camp Fire in Butte County and winds carrying the smoky air into cities to the south of the blaze, which was at 140,000 acres Thursday.
Hollister also reached an unhealthy for sensitive groups level Saturday.
Hollister air quality drops due to fires
