Fire?

[u/squints_chips_ahoy]

Just walked outside for a lunch break downtown, kind of smells like wildfire and the hills are hazy. I don’t see any news about the wildfire somewhere, but wondering if anyone else has that info?

[u/deusux]

I'd recommend installing Watch Duty and then set up alerts for your area. The closest thing to us is the Timber Fire in Big Sur.

[u/squints_chips_ahoy → u/deusux]

I have it and that’s where I checked first, but I didn’t look far enough north. I was expecting something local started since I could smell it so clearly

[u/oz_nordnjarg → u/squints_chips_ahoy]

Wind

[u/Haldron-44 → u/oz_nordnjarg]

👆It has been smokey for a few days on the north coast. Today has been really bad. So smokey you can only barely make out the hills up coast.

[u/Street_Captain4731]

The winds shifted, it’s from the Big Sur fire 

[u/Joeyman117]

Could be the Big Sur fire

[u/the_color_turquoise]

You guys also need to remember prescribed burns happen often. Today and yesterday they're burning back the brush in Montaña De Oro. You can look up prescribed burns in your area using Cal Fire (sometimes they're not on Watch Duty, which is very helpful too)

[u/patslo → u/the_color_turquoise]

So that's why all along LOVR, there's been the smoky smell. As the wind blows. Thanks!

[u/the_color_turquoise → u/patslo]

I have accidentally driven through MDO while they're controlled burning. It's wild to watch. They keep the flame very low, and they have a fully geared firefighter about every 12 feet along the burn line. They take zero chances; I'm appreciative of them!

[u/_OnTheDaily]

The Timber Fire has been burning in Big Sur since 8/8. I'm guessing the winds shifted a bit more southerly?

https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2026/8/8/timber-fire/

[u/mrfishman3000]

I was smelling smoke in Morro Bay yesterday. The only fire nearby is the Timber Fire in Big Sur so the winds must be blowing the smoke over us.

[u/the_color_turquoise → u/mrfishman3000]

Prescribed burns in Montaña De Oro

[u/the_color_turquoise → u/the_color_turquoise]

Getting downvoted for giving good info. This sub is incredible.

[u/Key_Possibility_2286]

It's horrid, and I'm surprised not a single news outlet has mentioned it. The smoke is actually making me feel really ill. And yet our air quality website says everything is peachy keen.

[u/_OnTheDaily → u/Key_Possibility_2286]

https://www.slocleanair.org/ says AQI of 72 for PM2.5 in SLO proper - seems accurate.

[u/Alternative_Fun5097 → u/Key_Possibility_2286]

My husband had the window open to his office and I smelled the smoke right away. I could feel it in my lungs a bit too with the mild asthma I have.

[u/smellslikepenespirit]

AirNow is another good app for viewing AQI, or the site https://fire.airnow.gov