The Valley Fire continues to burn in Lake County resulting in smoke, haze, and ash. Lake County is expected to experience “Good” air quality. The level improved on Monday from Sunday’s “Unhealthy” to “Hazardous” status.
Most Lake County areas are expected to remain in the Good range today. Be advised, areas closer to the active fire may experience worse air quality due to the high levels of fine particulates. Conditions may change rapidly and air quality could transition to an unhealthy range until the fire is out.
Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages. These conditions can be hazardous for sensitive individual including young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions, and those with chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.
Individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases should carefully adhere to their medical treatment plans and maintain at least a five-day supply of prescribed medications. They should limit outdoor activity and unnecessary physical exertion. 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. 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.
