• The once slow-growing Dolan Fire in Monterey County — which last week had burned just north of 20,000 acres — is now nearly 100,000 acres in size.  Moreover, firefighters have lost some ground as the blaze's containment percentage dipped below 20 percent earlier today. [nwcg.gov / KPIX]
  • The orange skies that continue coloring the Bay Area are likely to stick around until at least Friday — but, perhaps, even longer. "People should be sheltering in place as much as possible," cautions UCSF professor Dr. John Balmes to ABC7 about today’s Blade Runner-like airspace, with one of the news outlet's meteorologist noting that these hellacious skies will probably be here until at least Friday: "Stay home with windows closed, ventilation turned to recirculate, and if possible, have a clean air room with a HEPA air purifying appliance." [ABC7]
  • The Verge being The Verge flew a drone through today's dystopian cityscape for what made for a sublime collection of photos. [The Verge]
  • Essential workers and youths are proving to be vectors for COVID-19 in the Bay Area; as of this week, Contra Costa County still sits in the “purple tier" — the state's most restrictive reopening status. [SFBay]
  • Ritual Coffee Roasters shuttered its Castro location after serving its final cup of coffee on Monday. [Hoodline]
  • Aquaman and Game of Thrones star himself Jason Moma ventured into the Bay Area over the long weekend and ate his way through some staple Oakland restaurants. [Eater SF]
  • With smoke hovering over the Bay Area, Oakland organizers of a mass testing effort hope that the apocalyptic atmosphere doesn’t cancel the city's second large-scale COVID-19 screening event. [Oaklandside]
  • Amid a global pandemic, SFO's newest (and now longest) flight to Bangalore, India is a 17.5-hour nonstop aerial odyssey that covers 8,701 miles. [SFGATE]
  • As the CZU Lightning Complex fire nears closer to complete containment, one local writer pens a heartfelt love letter to Santa Cruz — and poignantly puts down on the page the feelings of despondence, rage, and hope we're all overwhelmed with these days. [The Bold Italic]

Image: Philip Pacheco/Getty Images