LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Air Quality Management District Tuesday issued a second information release on air quality regarding smoke from the Mills Fire in the Colusa County portion of the Mendocino National Forest.
The Mills Fire continues to burn in the forest, resulting in smoke, haze and degraded air quality. Because of the weather patterns and lack of control of the Mills Fire, Lake County has experienced unhealthy air quality. Values have exceeded state health-based particulate standards for small respirable particulate and ozone (photochemical smog), according to the release.
The prediction for today, given expected wind conditions and levels of particulate and ozone presently in the air, will be “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” to “unhealthy for everyone” in Lake County.
Greatest concerns exist from mid-morning through early evening, with conditions expected to improve as the afternoon west wind starts to clear out the smoke.
The unhealthy alert results from smoke transported by winds and ozone generated with the smoke, high temperatures, significant sunlight and humidity. The smoke and sunlight cause chemical reactions in the air that further reduces visibility by forming secondary particles in addition to those already in the smoke. These particles draw the moisture out of the air and grow in number and size, which can make the haze seem even worse.
Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages, which can be hazardous for sensitive people, including young children, the elderly, people with heart conditions or chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. The heat can make the stress worse, especially if exercising hard.
Residual haze and particulate from the many ongoing wildfires can be expected to continue throughout Lake County until the fires are out.
