San Francisco/wildfire worries

Old Oct 12th, 2017, 08:04 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
San Francisco/wildfire worries

Hi all. I know my worries are small, since the residents of the effected cities have been devastated, but not being from there, I have a question. We are supposed to start a vacation in San Francisco on Wednesday, the 18th. Our news says air quality is extremely poor. Also, we have reports of heavy ash falling. I’m wondering if we should cancel or not. I’m not even sure at this point if we could get a refund, but this being our first trip there, I’m worried. We don’t want to be a bother to the residents, who have much more important things on their minds, but we also are concerned that we’ll end up staying in a hotel room instead of sight seeing. Could anyone from the area give me some guidance? Thank you for any thoughts.
JADSJBD is offline  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 08:09 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,549
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
The air quality now is awful. But by next week the weather conditions will change and the wind will more typically come in from the west. There is even a slight chance of rain next week (only 10% so far but we can hope)

I personally wouldn't cancel since an on shore wind will clear the air in SF. If things do get worse you can always cancel next week.
janisj is online now  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 08:26 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,126
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
Air quality is extremely poor downwind from the fires so you'll be entirely at the mercy of the wind direction if your intent is to stay in SF.

I live about 100 miles northeast of Napa/Sonoma and yesterday we were blanketed in dense smoke. Today is clear because the winds aren't coming our way. Tomorrow could be smokey again. So it's impossible to say what your experience will be and I doubt the fires will be out in 6 days from now.

If you're willing to be flexible and not stay in the city if it's smokey, you might consider renting a car and going in a not-smokey direction. I can't tell from your post if SF is your only destination.
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 10:14 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 42,574
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
The only "bother" you are going to be IN San Francisco would be to the hotel which does not want you to cancel I am certain.
Dukey1 is offline  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 10:25 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am IN San Francisco, and while we definitely smell smoke and the air quality is bad, it's not like being in the area where the fires are. Unless you're headed north to Napa/Sonoma and environs, I wouldn't change your plans.
sf7307 is offline  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 10:47 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,126
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
I'd think whether to change plans has a great deal to do with the general state of one's health. If vigorously healthy then, no, don't change plans. But if susceptible to breathing difficulties then you might consider a change, if only to come and see how it is with a plan in place to go elsewhere.
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 11:58 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Agreed - if you have asthma or other issues, you might want to avoid the entire area.
sf7307 is offline  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 12:01 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,549
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
The winds are north now -- bringing the smoke directly down to San Francisco. The weather patterns are forecast to change in the next 3 or 4 days so what it is now bears no resemblance to what it might be next week. That is Why I suggested waiting until early next week to decide. If the westerlies, or even better SW, winds do materialize you won't even know there are fires elsewhere.
janisj is online now  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 12:30 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You won't bother people in SF by visiting. Like any other large city, there are so many people and so much going on that a few people one way or the other won't make a difference. And while SF is near Napa and Sonoma counties, SF itself is not in crisis. It just has bad air from the fires.
november_moon is offline  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 01:35 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone for the replies. I think we’ll leave the plans as is for now, and decide closer in if circumstances change. We wanted to rent a car and drive possibly down the coast anyway, so that may be an option if the air is too smoky. I was just concerned that everyone from surrounding communities would be needing a place to stay and San Franciscans might prefer tourists stay out of the way during this California crisis, and free up hotel rooms.
JADSJBD is offline  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 01:41 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,126
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
Containment of the fire that I'm particularly watching is now being estimated for the 20th.
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Oct 12th, 2017, 01:54 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't think too many of the displaced people will be coming to SF to stay. There are quite a few towns and smaller cities between SF and the Napa and Sonoma Valleys that would be much more convenient (and cheaper) for people to stay in than SF. I would expect Novato, San Rafael, Vallejo, and Fairfield to get evacuees. I wouldn't expect SF to get too many.
november_moon is offline  
Old Oct 13th, 2017, 07:28 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 20,609
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We live in downtown area of San Francisco. It seems, the worst is over. Do not plan to go north of the city, and you will be fine.

The news you are getting must be from the areas affected by fire and smoke. It's really bad there.
Dayenu is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2017, 11:53 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for your concern for the residents affected. You are very thoughtful.
Iwan2go is offline  
Old Oct 17th, 2017, 01:12 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Besides reading here, check out the threads on the tripadvisor.com California web site. Much information there, often from locals.
Underhill is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mytibt
United States
14
Nov 16th, 2018 10:20 PM
kay_pr
United States
18
May 23rd, 2016 02:55 PM
yeadonite
United States
43
Oct 9th, 2012 04:27 PM
don512
United States
17
Jan 3rd, 2006 06:51 PM
Chris
United States
81
Jun 1st, 2002 06:18 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -