They say the alert is necessary because of heavy particle pollution caused by wood smoke, traffic and weather conditions. Lori Kobza with the Sacramento Air Quality Management District says the bad air can cause coughing and breathing problems. 

"Particulate matter, especially this level of particulate matter, 2.5 which is very fine particles, it gets very deep into the lung tissue and actually gets into the blood stream which is a very unique little pollutant that we have to deal with."

To keep pollution to a minimum, air quality officials are asking residents to reduce driving and refrain from using wood-burning stoves and outdoor fire pits.