LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The large wildland fires continuing to burn in parts of Northern California and Oregon are expected to continue to impact Lake County’s air quality this week.
Late last week, smoke from multiple fires began coming into the air basin, creating hazy, smoky conditions.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District said multiple fires including the Dixie Fire, the McFarland Fire and Monument Fire, and the River Complex fires, and other fires burning in Northern California and Oregon are creating the regional smoke impacts throughout Lake County and California.
Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart reported that all areas of Lake County have experienced air quality classified as “unhealthy” intermittently over the past week.
On Monday, Gearhart said overall air quality for the past two days had remained in the “Moderate” to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” categories.
“With wind directions switching around, we will likely see some clearing during the day, but smoke returning toward the evening or overnight if the wind pattern stays as forecast,” he told Lake County News.
The air quality forecast calls for conditions to degrade overnight but to improve from Tuesday into Wednesday, Gearhart said. Conditions will range from “Moderate” air quality to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”
Overnight smoke may settle into the air basin, with upper level winds developing Tuesday which is forecast to push smoke to the east of Lake County. Gearhart said this pattern should keep the heaviest smoke concentrations out of the air basin, though all areas should expect periods of degraded air quality intermittently for Tuesday and Wednesday.
This forecast is based on the latest weather, monitoring, fire activity information and will be updated as necessary, said Gearhart.
Gearhart said the district is actively monitoring the smoke impacts throughout the County. Additionally, you may go to www.lcaqmd.net and follow the Quick Links for Air Monitoring for current smoke and air quality conditions. The fire and smoke map integrates multiple monitoring networks and smoke models as well as fire information. Current particulate levels in Lake County range from “moderate.”
Concentrations of smoke may vary depending upon location, weather, and elevation. Smoke from wildfires and structure fires contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. Smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing and difficulty breathing.
People who are at greatest risk of experiencing symptoms due to smoke include: those with respiratory disease (such as asthma), those with heart disease, young children, and older adults.
These sensitive populations should stay indoors and avoid prolonged activity. All others should limit prolonged or heavy activity and time spent outdoors. Even healthy adults can be affected by smoke. Seek medical help if you have symptoms that worsen or become severe.
Follow these general precautions to protect your health during a smoke event:
• Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise.
• Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible.
• Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside – examples include swamp coolers, whole-house fans, and fresh air ventilation systems.
• Run your air-conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors. Change the standard air conditioner filter to a medium or high efficiency filter. If available, use the “recirculate” or “recycle” setting on the unit.
• Do not smoke, fry food, or do other things that will create indoor air pollution.
If you have lung disease (including asthma) or heart disease, closely monitor your health and contact your doctor if you have symptoms that worsen.
Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you have repeated coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue, lightheadedness.
Localized areas of unhealthy air quality are possible until throughout this fire season. Take appropriate measures until the smoke clears.
Fires around Northern California, Oregon continue to impact Lake County air quality
- Lake County News reports
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