LAKE COUNTY — Air quality in Lake County is unhealthy because of smoke caused by ongoing large wildfires, officials announced Monday morning.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District (LCAQMD) predicted the air quality would be “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” to “unhealthy for everyone” on Monday based on anticipated wind conditions and the levels of particulate and ozone currently in the air.
The greatest concern exists for Clearlake, eastern Lake County and the Northshore communities. Areas closest to the fires could experience “severe” air quality because of the high levels of fine particulates.
The “Wye Fire,” located near the intersection of highways 20 and 53 east of Clearlake Oaks, burned 3,000 acres and was 25 percent contained as of early Monday morning, CAL FIRE said.
The “Walker Fire,” on Highway 20 east of Walker Ridge Road, scorched 2,000 acres and was 30 percent contained, CAL FIRE reported.
Both fires started just before 4 p.m. Sunday.
A third, smaller fire broke out Sunday evening on Highway 175 outside of Lakeport. CAL FIRE reported crews stopped the fire”s forward progression within about three hours, but the resulting smoke continues to affect Lake County air quality.
People can expect poor air quality, haze and particulate from the ongoing fires to continue throughout the county for the next few days until the fires are put out, according to LCAQMD.
Smoky conditions can irritate the eyes, nose and air passages, which can be hazardous for sensitive people such as young children, people older than 65, and those with heart conditions, chronic lung diseases or respiratory conditions.
The extreme heat forecast for the county Monday can worsen the stress, especially for people exercising hard.
