LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With continued firing operations on the 16 Complex and the outbreak of the Scotts Fire on Friday, Lake County residents saw another influx of smoke and haze in the air basin.
Lake County Air Quality Management reported that air quality conditions were good much of Friday, with several hours of significant smoke intrusion midday.
The Clearlake and Northshore areas experienced more significant degradation of air quality on Friday. The district reported that levels of ozone and particulate were elevated, but did not exceed state health-based air quality standards, though some areas may have experienced significantly higher levels.
Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said the prediction for the weekend is for “moderate “ to “unhealthy” air quality in Lake County. All areas of the County may be significantly impacted should
meteorological conditions worsen.
Wind forecasts for the weekend include periods of North and Northwest winds which would result in
potentially significant air quality degradation from the Scotts Fire, Gearhart said.
Smoke impacts are most likely to occur overnight, Saturday afternoon through Sunday, depending on the progress of the firefighting efforts, Gearhart reported.
At times this weekend, areas of the county could experience “hazardous” air quality levels as smoke settles into the basin, he said.