- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
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Region’s fires result in unhealthy air quality for Lake County
The smoke and haze currently visible through areas of Lake County are primarily the result of the Sulphur fire in the Clearlake and Clearlake Oaks areas, according to Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart of the Lake County Air Quality Management District.
Gearhart said other active fires in the region may add to the smoke impacts in Lake County.
The “unhealthy” to “hazardous” air quality alert results from the forecast for higher levels of smoke and other air pollutants contained in the smoke, and multiple fires burning in our region, Gearhart said.
The Air Quality Management District is actively monitoring the smoke impacts. Gearhart said current particulate levels in lake county are reaching “moderate” to “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” in many areas.
The highest levels of smoke are expected along the north shore of Clear Lake, the city of Clearlake and surrounding areas. Gearhart said those areas may experience “unhealthy” to “hazardous” air quality and individuals should take precautions.
The smoke can be expected to continue impacting Lake County with potential for unhealthy levels through all areas of the county as the winds shift through the next couple days, Gearhart said.
Gearhart said smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages. These conditions can be hazardous for sensitive individual including young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions, and those with chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.
Individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases should carefully adhere to their medical treatment plans and maintain at least a five-day supply of prescribed medications. They should limit outdoor activity and unnecessary physical exertion. Air conditioning that recirculates indoor air should be used, when available, Gearhart said.
Health officials said drinking plenty of water to avoid drying of the airways is recommended, unless restricted for medical reasons.
Dust masks are not protective against the ultrafine particulate, which is the pollutant most detrimental to health caused by wildfire smoke. Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing some of the harmful particulate matter, but they also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress, and are not recommended as a general protective measure, officials said.
With air quality forecast to be in the “unhealthy” range, people are recommended to use caution, 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, Gearhart said.
Gearhart 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. Take appropriate measures until the smoke clears.