LAKE COUNTY ? Fires surrounding Lake County are pouring smoke in to its air basin, causing the region to miss state health standards, according to Lake County Air Pollution Control Officer Bob Reynolds. Hazy conditions are expected to continue until surrounding fires are extinguished.
“Multiple fires exist to the east, south, north and west of Lake County, so smoke continues to enter the basin no matter where the wind originates,” Reynolds said.
Air monitoring data taken Monday for Lakeport, Anderson Springs and Glenbrook showed violations of state and federal health standards for particulate matter, according to a joint press release from the county Health Department and Air Quality Management District. State ambient air quality standards were exceeded by 155 to 223 percent. Federal standards were exceeded by 278 percent. Reynolds said the percentages may be higher in areas closer to the Walker Fire, just west of the Lake-Colusa county line off of Highway 20.
“All of Northern California is impacted by smoke right now. It”s important to note that someone having problems with the air quality here shouldn”t leave Lake County, because throughout Northern California, they are having much higher numbers reported,” Reynolds said.
County residents who suffer from asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases are warned to keep a five-day supply of prescribed medications on hand. Anyone experiencing chest pain, chest tightness or shortness of breath is urged to seek medical help.
“Residents who live near the effected areas should be prepared to stay indoors, avoid vigorous physical activity and check for a recirculation function on the air conditioner. If you can smell the smoke, and it”s strong, you should be concerned,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said residents should use their judgment when deciding whether or not to run air conditioners, depending on medical condition, age, location and comfort level.
“If you have a recirculation function, use it. If not, minimize the amount of smoke that enters your home,” Reynolds said.
According to the release, smoke from numerous wildfires in the California Coastal Mountains gets trapped in the cooler marine air layer and carried inland. Sunlight creates a chemical reaction with the smoke particles that form secondary particles in addition to the smoke. The secondary particles grow in number and size as they draw moisture out of the air, reducing visibility, according to Reynolds.
Firefighters are battling nearly 1,000 wildfires statewide. The Walker Fire in the southeastern portion of the Indian Valley Reservoir is 5 percent contained, has consumed approximately 10,000 acres and is expected to grow to 15,000 acres. A blaze in Napa County named the Wild Fire, burned 4,089 acres by Tuesday and was 80 percent contained. Cal Fire crews are fighting 131 fires in Mendocino County to the northwest, which authorities reported had burned a collective 13,000 acres by Tuesday. No estimate of containment was given.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
