LAKE COUNTY
Unhealthy but improving air quality in Lake County
The smoke and haze within Lake County has impacted all areas of the Lake County Air Basin over the past two days. Multiple fires including the Dixie Fire, the McFarland Fire, and Monument Fires burning in Northern California and fire in Oregon are creating the regional smoke impacts throughout Lake County and California.
All areas of Lake County have experienced unhealthy air quality with areas of hazardous air quality for several hours at a time. Overall air quality for the past two days has remained “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy for All”. Everyone should be prepared for periods of “UNHEALTHY” to “VERY UNHEALTHY” conditions. All areas should expect periods of degraded air quality as weather patterns shift. This forecast is based on the latest weather, monitoring, fire activity information and will be updated as necessary.
The District is actively monitoring the smoke impacts throughout the County. Additionally, you may go to WWW.LCAQMD.NET and follow the Quick Links for air monitoring for current smoke and air quality conditions. The Fire and Smoke Map integrates multiple monitoring networks and smoke models as well as fire information. Current particulate levels in Lake County range from “Moderate” in Lakeport to “Unhealthy” in Cobb, Hidden Valley Lake, Lower Lake, and Clearlake.
Concentrations of smoke may vary depending upon location, weather, and elevation. Smoke from wildfires and structure fires contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. Smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. People who are at greatest risk of experiencing symptoms due to smoke include: those with respiratory disease (such as asthma), those with heart disease, young children, and older adults.
These sensitive populations should stay indoors and avoid prolonged activity. All others should limit prolonged or heavy activity and time spent outdoors. Even healthy adults can be affected by smoke. Seek medical help if you have symptoms that worsen or become severe.
Follow these general precautions to protect your health during a smoke event:
- Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise.
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible.
- Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside – examples include swamp coolers, whole-house fans, and fresh air ventilation systems.
- Run your air-conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors.
- Change the standard air conditioner filter to a medium or high efficiency filter. If available, use the “re-circulate” or “recycle” setting on the unit.
- Do not smoke, fry food, or do other things that will create indoor air pollution.
If you have lung disease (including asthma) or heart disease, closely monitor your health and contact your doctor if you have symptoms that worsen. Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you have repeated coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue, lightheadedness.
Localized areas of unhealthy air quality are possible until throughout this fire season. Take appropriate measures until the smoke clears.
—Submitted
LAKEPORT
Open enrollment for Lakeport Christian Center Preschool/Daycare
Lakeport Christian Center Preschool/Daycare is accepting applications for their Preschool/Pre-K/Daycare Program serving ages 2 to 5 as well as their after-school program for school-age children serving ages 6 to 9. The preschool is open Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and the after-school is open M-F 2:30-5:30 pm. Space is limited. Enrollment packets are available for download @www.lcchub.com or at the LCC Preschool/Daycare 175 C Street(corner S Forbes & C Street). Phone: 707-262-5520.
—Submitted
LAKE COUNTY
Community Visioning Forum Planning Committee to meet this evening at 6 p.m.
The Countywide Community Visioning Forum Planning Committee will meet for the third time via Zoom this Tuesday evening from 6 to 8pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84806504410?pwd=ZkNlcTRub0o2WDZqdUJvaHYzK1ArZz09&from=addon
Meeting ID: 848 0650 4410, passcode: 237666
The public is encouraged to attend and participate via Zoom. The full meeting Agenda for this meeting and further resources can be accessed at:
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Boards/Community_Visioning_Forum_Planning_Committee.htm
What is the Community Visioning Forum Planning Committee?
Residents from Lake County’s richly diverse communities watched on Tuesday, February 23, as the Lake County Board of Supervisors unanimously proclaimed “Promoting Tolerance, Respect, Equity and Inclusion” among their utmost priorities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnmnWM70JFI
This historic moment culminated significant community efforts, and was punctuated by each Supervisor reading a portion of the Proclamation, and affirming their commitment to host a Community Visioning Forum to unearth priorities in the following categories:
- Meaningful actions and activities that will build bridges where there may be walls;
- Fostering tolerance, respect, understanding, equity and inclusion;
- Promotion non-violence and non-violent conflict resolution;
- Focusing resources on underlying causes and conditions that lead to inequitable resource and justice distribution; and
- Relevant solutions for any social injustices, as they may come to light.
Community members and leaders from the County of Lake, Cities of Lakeport and Clearlake and Tribal governments that resonated with the Board’s Proclamation volunteered to be a part of this historic effort, by applying for a spot on the countywide committee.
—Submitted
