El Dorado County AQMD Wildfire Smoke Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 19, 2020

WILDFIRE SMOKE ADVISORY

(PLACERVILLE, CA) - Air quality in El Dorado County is currently being impacted by smoke from wildfires in the region and State. County Health officials are reminding residents to take precautions should wildfire smoke impact areas where they live, work and recreate.

According to El Dorado County Air Pollution Control Officer Dave Johnston, wildfires can produce smoke that causes health problems, particularly for children, older adults and those with heart disease or respiratory issues. Johnston advises residents to limit outdoor activity if they see or smell smoke.

Additional precautions include the following:

·         Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible

·         Take activities indoors (but gathering only with one’s own household members, to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus)

·         Set the air conditioners in your home and car to re-circulating mode

·         Stay hydrated; drink lots of water to keep airways moist

·         Delay strenuous outdoor exercise until smoke has cleared

·         Children and older adults should avoid outdoor activity, especially prolonged outdoor exercise

·         People with heart disease, respiratory or chronic health issues should stay indoors

·         Minimize the creation of indoor particulate matter (avoid cigarette smoking, grilling, vacuuming, burning candles and incense)

·         Consider creating a 'clean room' at home with an indoor air purifier

·         Limit pets' outdoor activities

During this fire season, El Dorado County may continue to be intermittently impacted by wildfire smoke. Smoke conditions can change quickly and vary greatly in El Dorado County because of the terrain, wind direction and weather.

The El Dorado County Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has deployed 42 Purple Air monitors throughout the County to gather real time, location specific information about air quality. Residents can view this information in our area by visiting http://tinyurl.com/y5m79ncn.  For maps and information on California wildfires visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ or for maps showing both air quality monitoring/sensor data and wildfire locations visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.

For more information about air quality issues in El Dorado County, please visit AQMD’s website. TheAQMD also has a web page dedicated to information about wildfire smoke andpreventive measures.