Mountain Communities – Large amounts of smoke being produced by the KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fire in Sequoia National Park has prompted air quality officials to issue an air quality advisory for the Valley counties of Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the Valley portion of Kern. In addition, the Caldor Fire and other Northern California fires are sending smoke into Stanislaus, Merced and Madera counties. Particulate matter from wildfires may affect the entire SanJoaquin Valley over the coming days. The District warns residents being impacted by smoke to remain indoors to reduce their exposure to particulate matter (PM) emissions.
Particulate matter can trigger asthma attacks, aggravate chronic bronchitis, and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Individuals with heart or lung disease should follow their doctors’ advice for dealing with episodes of PM exposure. Those with existing respiratory conditions, including COVID-19, young children and the elderly, are especially susceptible to the health effects from this form of pollution.
Anyone experiencing poor air quality due to wildfire smoke should move to a filtered, air-conditioned environment with windows closed. Common cloth and paper masks being used as protection from COVID-19 may not be sufficient protection from wildfiresmoke inhalation.
For details on current and past wildfires affecting the Valley, as well as resources to protect yourself from exposure to wildfires smoke, visit the District’s Wildfire Information page at www.valleyair.org/wildfires.
In addition, you can access RAAN to check air quality at any Valley location, view the EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke map and find links to temporary foothill monitors.
For more information, visit www.valleyair.org or call a District office in Fresno (559-230-6000), Modesto (209-557-6400) or Bakersfield (661-392-5500).
