LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Health Department and Air Quality Management District issued a joint public information release Tuesday regarding smoke from the Mill Fire in the Colusa County portion of the Mendocino National Forest impacting air quality.
The fire continues to grow, resulting in smoke, haze and degraded air quality for Lake County, according to the release. Because of weather patterns and lack of control over the fire, much of the county was affected by the smoke.
The current one-hour average measurement in Lakeport is greater than 90 percent of allowed state health-based particulate standards, which are designed to protect sensitive groups of the population, for small respirable particulate and the ultrafine, inhalable particulate, according to the release.
These levels are expected to rise with potential for unhealthy air in areas of the county until the fire is contained.
Though conditions are still in the healthy range in Lakeport, isolated areas throughout the county may experience unhealthy to severe air quality as the smoke settles, according to the release. The morning inversion layer minimized impacts on the basin floor, though conditions can change quickly.
Regional weather patterns indicate continued smoke impacts for the next couple of days, with relief possible late in the week as a west/southwest wind pattern develops.
Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait advised area residents to be cautious in resuming normal activities.
“Variable weather conditions and ongoing re activity may result in localized areas of reduced air quality, which could still pose health risks to people with underlying health conditions,” Tait said. “Since we can”t always predict when and where ”pockets” of poorer air quality may occur, it is prudent to be careful until conditions stabilize.”
Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages, which can be hazardous in young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions or chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions.
People with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases are advised to carefully adhere to their medical treatment plans and maintain at least a five-day supply of prescribed medications. Outdoor activity and unnecessary physical exertion should also be limited.
Air conditioning that recirculates indoor air should be used, when available. Drinking plenty of water to avoid drying of the airways is recommended, unless restricted for medical reasons.
Dust masks are not protective against the most harmful pollutants caused by wildfire smoke that drifts to nearby areas. They are useful in filtering out the ash and larger particles that are encountered in burn areas and should be considered when recovering property or cleaning areas that have burned.
Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing harmful particulate matter, but also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress and are not recommended as a general protective measure.
Regional haze and particulates from the Mill Fire are expected to continue throughout the county until the re is out.
