For immediate release 8-12-16
Attn:
Local news, weather, health and assignment editors
Northern region – Modesto
Anthony Presto (209) 557- 6472
Central/Southern regions – Fresno
Cassandra Melching (559) 230-5901
Spanish-language contact
Maricela Velasquez (559) 230-5849
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Wildfires in Fresno and
Monterey Counties
are impacting Valley
air quality
The public may experience poor air
quality and should take action to protect their health
Smoke from the
Soberanes Fire burning in Monterey County is affecting air quality in locations
throughout the San Joaquin Valley while smoke from the Mineral Fire in Fresno
County is affecting air quality on the western edge of the Valley near the
Coalinga foothills. Elevated particulate matter and ozone levels
throughout the Valley are prompting Air District officials to issue a health
cautionary statement Valley-wide.
The wildfires
burning around the Valley coupled with high heat and a strong high pressure
system lingering over the Valley are causing smoke emissions to remain trapped
within the air basin and spikes in particulate matter levels and ozone levels
are possible, particularly during the afternoon hours.
“The businesses
and residents of the Valley have done so much to reduce summertime pollution
that it is unfortunate when these wildfires overwhelm that great work,” stated
Seyed Sadredin, the District’s Executive Director/Air Pollution Control
Officer. “However, the public needs to be advised that while these fires burn
and bring smoke into the Valley, they need to take the appropriate steps to
protect their health.”
Air officials
are expecting these poor air quality conditions to continue into next week
based on the projected weather conditions and impacts from these wildfires will
continue to be a concern until the fires are extinguished.
Smoke
from wildfires produces particulate matter (PM) and contributes to the creation
of ozone, which can cause serious health problems including lung disease,
asthma attacks and increased risk of heart attacks and stroke. People
with existing respiratory conditions, young children and elderly people are
especially susceptible to health effects from these pollutants. Air District
officials urge residents to follow their doctors’ orders when exposed to
wildfire emissions and stay indoors if at all possible.
Please
be advised that the District’s Real-time Air Advisory Network (RAAN) monitors
are designed to detect the fine particulates (called PM 2.5 which are
microscopic in size and not visible to the human eye) that exist in wildfire
smoke. Ash particles are much larger in size and will not be detected by
our monitors. Therefore an area may be experiencing impacts from these
wildfires while the PM monitor reflects a moderate reading. If you can
see or smell smoke or ash, that is an indication that you should be treating
air quality conditions as “Unhealthy” and remain indoors.
Residents
can check the District’s wildfire page at www.valleyair.org/wildfires for information about any current
wildfires and whether they are impacting the Valley. Residents can also check
the nearest air monitor to their location to determine localized air-quality
conditions. Visit the Real-time Air Advisory Network to subscribe for free: www.valleyair.org/RAAN.
For
more information, visit www.valleyair.org or call a District office in Fresno
(559-230-6000), Modesto (209-557-6400) or Bakersfield (661-381-1809).
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