The Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District and the public health departments of Plumas and Sierra counties have announces they are issuing a joint air quality health advisory due to smoke impacts from the Gold Complex (Smith and Mill fires) south of Portola, near the Mohawk and Whitehawk communities. The advisory is scheduled for July 24 through July 26.
Due to the southwest winds today and tomorrow, smoke will impact areas northeast of the Gold Complex Fire impacting Portola, Beckworth and Chilcoot. People in those areas can expect smoke impacts to be worse in the early morning, clearing in the middle to late afternoon and worsening throughout the night. Areas north of the fire can expect moderate to unhealthy air quality throughout the day.
Information on current air quality is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/#. Agencies note that the air quality index is updated hourly and air quality conditions change rapidly. Smoke may be intermittent and affect different areas dependent upon wind direction and time of day.
Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of air pollutants that are harmful to human health. The major air pollutant of concern is fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. Exposure to air pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing cough, a dry scratchy throat, runny nose, trouble breathing and irritated sinuses.
Everyone may experience varying degrees of symptoms, and people at increased risk from smoke inhalation include the following:
- Young children.
- Older adults.
- Pregnant women.
- People with chronic respiratory and heart conditions.
- People who work outside.
- People experiencing homelessness.
Anyone experiences questionable or severe symptoms should seek professional medical advice and treatment. People can reduce smoke inhalation by taking the following actions:
- Limit outdoor exertion, especially for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
- If a child shows signs of compromised breathing or has respiratory conditions, follow the doctor’s directions regarding medicines and asthma management plans. Call the doctor if symptoms worsen.
- Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible in buildings and vehicles.
- When air quality index levels reach unhealthy levels (150 or higher), consider if work needed to be completed outside is essential.
- If N-95 respirators are used, be sure that they are correctly fitted. Dust masks, cloth face coverings and medical masks will not filter out smoke. Staying indoors is the best option to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke.
- Try to limit in-home sources of air pollution, such as smoking, use of incense or candles and frying food.
- Set air conditioners to recirculate, in both cars and homes, to use inside air rather than drawing in air from the outside.
- Use high-efficiency air filters (rated MERV-13 or higher) for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems if possible. Portable HEPA filters can also be used. Avoid ozone-producing air purifiers.
- Find a local clean air shelter to go to during periods of intense wildfire smoke.
Additional resources are available as follows:
- Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov.
- A fire and smoke map is available at https://fire.airnow.gov.
- The air district website is https://www.myairdistrict.com/.
- Clean air centers are listed at https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/cleanaircenters. None are currently listed in Plumas or Sierra counties.
- Information on Smoke Ready California is available at https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/smokereadyca.
Information provided by Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District, Plumas County Public Health Agency, Sierra County Public Health