LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Air quality conditions that had degraded around Lake County over the past week due to the local and regional wildland fires are continuing to improve.
On Saturday the Lake County Air Quality Management District said the smoke and haze visible through areas of Lake County this week have dissipated as a result of the moderate northeast winds.
The smoke from the Tubbs fire in Napa and Sonoma counties, the Pocket fire in Sonoma County, and the Redwood Complex fire in Mendocino County has not settled into the basin since Friday night, according to Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart.
Gearhart issued a “good” to “unhealthy for everyone” air quality alert on Saturday due to the variable weather conditions experienced in Lake County and the forecast for extended smoke impacts.
As the winds associated with the red flag warning subside, the smoke from these fires is expected to return to Lake County with a potential for unhealthy conditions, Gearhart said.
Gearhart said Saturday that particulate levels in Lake County are in the range from “good” in the Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake areas to “good” range in the northern portions of the county.
With the subsiding of the northeastern winds, the smoke levels in the county are expected to increase. As a result, Gearhart said all areas may experience “unhealthy” air quality at times, though overall conditions are improving.
The smoke is expected to remain in Lake County through the weekend, though there may be periods of improved or degraded air quality as the winds shift through the next few days, he said.
With air quality forecast to be in the “good” degrading to potentially “unhealthy” conditions, people are recommended to use caution when the smoke is present, avoid strenuous activity, avoid outdoor activities when possible, and reduce other sources of air pollution (such as smoking, use of aerosol products, frying or broiling meats, burning candles, vacuuming, etc.) and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, according to Gearhart.
He said localized areas of very unhealthy or hazardous air quality, regional haze, and particulate from these fires can be expected until the regional fires are fully contained and the weather pattern shifts to clear the smoke. Take appropriate measures until the smoke clears.
Winds help dissipate smoke in Lake County’s air basin
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