SJVAPCD reissues health advisory due to smoke from wildfires

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District reissued a health advisory for Valley residents due to continuing smoke from California wildfires. The cautionary notice will remain in place until all of the fires are put out.

Photo Credit: NOAA (https://satellitemaps.nesdis.noaa.gov/arcgis/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4da21c3c398946f293e0436fb926702c)

The District said that smoke from the SQF Complex Fire in Tulare County was entering the Valley through the mountains of Tulare and Kern Counties and combining with smoke from other wildfires to impact San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, and Fresno Counties as well.

Particulate (PM) pollution from these wildfires can trigger asthma attacks, aggravate chronic bronchitis, and increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Those experiencing poor air quality should stay indoors. The District has also advised that the the simple cloth and paper masks used to prevent the transmission of COVID19 virus particles by exhalation may not be sufficient to prevent the inhalation of PM particles.

Monterey Bay Air Resources District issues health advisory due to "hazardous" air quality

 As wildfires continue to rage throughout California, yet another air pollution control district has warned its residents to stay indoors and reduce activity levels.

Yesterday the Monterey Bay Air Resources District announced that its air monitoring devices at many locations in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties have reached hazardous levels. This poses a risk to everyone and especially to those with underlying conditions such as heart disease, asthma, COPD, the elderly, children, and others.

Photo Credit: Monterey Bay Air Resources District website

The District also warns that simple paper or dust masks,scarves, and bandanas will not provide protection against the very small particles known as PM2.5. N-95 or P-100 respirators may help, but, the best solution is to stay indoors if possible.

SCAQMD issues health advisory for Los Angeles metro area due to wildfire smoke

The severe health effects posed by California's spate of wildfires is not limited to the Central Valley. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which encompasses Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside,and San Bernardino Counties, issued its own health advisory today due to elevated levels of ozone and PM2.5.

Photo credit: SCAQMD

The SCAQMD extended its Special Air Quality Advisory to Saturday, August 22, 2020, due to smoke from the Lake and Ranch2 fires. The agency advised those in the impacted areas to remain indoors and avoid physical activities.

RAAN Air Quality update for Bakersfield area

Well, it looked like things were starting to get better, smoke-wise, for the Bakersfield area today. After a pre-dawn peak of 148 µg/m³, PM2.5 levels dropped nearly in half by 11:30 AM, only to reverse course and climb to 140 µg/m³ by 4 pm.

Photo Credit: SJVAPCD RAAN data, August 21, 2020

The concentration of PM2.5 particles exceeds the SJVAPCD's Level 5 limits. Ozone levels also have climbed drastically, reaching a peak of 105 ppb and exceeding Level 4 limits.

Stay inside if you can. Wear a good mask if you can't. Stay safe!