LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Air Quality Management District Wednesday issued an air quality update regarding the presence of smoke from the Mills Fire in the Colusa County portion of the Mendocino National Forest.
The fire continues to burn resulting in smoke, haze and degraded air quality. Because of current weather patterns and lack of control of the fire, Lake County is experiencing unhealthy air quality.
Air quality values exceeded state health-based particulate standards for small respirable particulate and ozone (photochemical smog).
The prediction for today, given expected wind conditions and levels of particulate and ozone presently trapped in the air basin, air quality levels will be “moderate” to “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” in the county.
The greatest air quality concern exists from mid-morning through late afternoon. Conditions are expected to improve mid-afternoon as the ridge of high pressure begins to break down, allowing the west winds to begin clearing out the smoke.
Conditions are forecast to improve through the weekend, resulting in a forecast for healthier air quality and cooler temperatures.
Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the yes, nose and air passages, which can be hazardous for sensitive people, including young children, the elderly, people with heart conditions or chronic lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. The heat can make the stress worse, especially if exercising hard.
The “moderate” to “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” 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, growing in number and size, which makes the haze even worse.
Residual haze and particulate matter from the many ongoing wildfires can be expected to continue throughout Lake County until the fires are out.
