Smoke Impacts the Emerald Counties

Smoke map

Yellow areas have medium smoke impacts and green areas have light impacts. [Graphic from NOAA]

Press release from North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) and partners:

Recent devastating fire activity to the south reminds everyone that Wildfire season is still in effect. Overnight, smoke from the Redwood Complex of fires in Ukiah and the numerous fires in Santa Rosa have primarily affected southern and coastal Humboldt County, with some minor impacts in southern Trinity County near Hayfork. The critical fire weather conditions have subsided as winds have shifted onshore and have become lighter. Smoke from these new southern fires will probably decrease after today, as a change in transport winds is anticipated this afternoon. The weather is forecast to change beginning tomorrow with northerly winds predicted, pushing any smoke to the south.

Presently, air quality in southern Humboldt is forecast to be “Moderate” to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”, with periods of “Unhealthy”. Coast areas of Humboldt are expected to be “Moderate” to “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” until winds begin to shift this afternoon.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors are still presently in Eureka, Scotia, Blue Lake, Smith River, Crescent City, Klamath, Orleans, Weitchpec, Hoopa, Weaverville, and Hayfork. Fire information can be found at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ or at www.calfire.ca.gov. Current weather information can be found at www.wrh.noaa.gov.

Health Information for Smoke Impacts

Concentrations of smoke may vary depending upon location, weather, and distance from the fire. 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.

If you can see, taste, or feel smoke, contact your local health department and/or primary healthcare provider. This is especially important if you have health concerns, are elderly, are pregnant, or have a child in your care.

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.

For 24-hour Air Quality Advisory Information, call toll-free at 1-866-BURN-DAY (1-866-287-6329).
For further information, visit the District’s website at www.ncuaqmd.org
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23 Comments
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BoyEd
Guest
BoyEd
6 years ago

We have a red sun here in Willow Creek from the drift smoke

judi
Guest
6 years ago

heavy smoke haze & red sun filter in loleta,

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago

It was a relief to see many of the newscasters and citizens wearing masks as they went about their duties.
It would be a huge relief if the HHS warned everyone what the smoke particles consist of.
It’s the particles, aka TAR, in the smoke that will kill you.
Imagine everyone rolling a doobie consisting of car tires, dashboards, off gassing plastics, fiberglass, fire retardants, every household cleaning agent known to man, lubricants, oil, gas, … and smoking them 24/7 in a room without windows.
Oh, but be careful not to exert yourself while you self righteously attack that careless smoker on the next block.

:(
Guest
:(
6 years ago
Reply to  shak

Wouldnt it be great if our taxes paid for an emergency kit for everyone including respirator/gas mask.

CA Armstrong
Guest
CA Armstrong
6 years ago
Reply to  :(

Our taxes pay for billions of dollars worth of emergency services. Thousands of people are deployed in times of disaster, and millions of dollars worth of equipment. And you think respirators should also be included? Well, call your reps. I guess.

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago
Reply to  :(

N95 masks should be in everyone’s kits, yes.
The schools and HHS should be alerting all to the particles (tar) i& fumes n the smoke, yes.
The taxes should pay for them? Oh hell no.
If your community is too broke to hold a fundraiser for prep products, maybe it’s time to ask why.
Those who prefer to pay $100.00 for a $5.00 product, got us into this poverty mess in the first place.
It costs a fortune to create the departments needed for appropriations, accounts receivable, distribution accounts, warehouse storage, and the remainder of the unnecessary expenses such as committees to decide the particulars.

There’s no excuse for ignoring the hazards of non-environmental friendly products that we can’t even dispose of in the public dumps, smoke and tar. No excuse at all.
Oh, and by the way, due to budget cuts, the warehouses are empty and we don’t have enough supplies. Greedy citizens voted against the latest tax hike.
Oh, but we’re hearing about the next tax hike, with ears wide open. OMG! If a coil gets overheated, carcinogens can be produced. Danger danger, MMJ can be hazardous to your health.
Follow the money.

binbeareda4
Guest
binbeareda4
6 years ago

so much for every one’s “TOTALLY ORGANIC WEED ,MAN” With all the asphalt, tar and building material particles that peppered every ones weed. Not just ash but actual particulates,,,,, You thought all the testing was tough before. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Taurus Ballzhoff
Guest
Taurus Ballzhoff
6 years ago
Reply to  binbeareda4

OH NO, NOT SMOKE ON MY WEED! Now it will be worthless!

guest
Guest
guest
6 years ago

Why does the California Air Resources Board not put a stop to this? They should fine someone shouldn’t they?
What a worthless agency.
Try to burn a pile of brush in the middle of winter and they are all over you.

MOLA:42
Guest
MOLA:42
6 years ago
Reply to  guest

We’re talking wildfires here. Who do you plan to fine? God?

Thinking allowed
Guest
Thinking allowed
6 years ago
Reply to  MOLA:42

I think it was sarcasm.

Lundbar Hillbilly
Guest
Lundbar Hillbilly
6 years ago
Reply to  MOLA:42

How about PG&E? Did their power lines not spark and start the Redwood fire? Common sense would tell you that big winds would happen sooner or later. Neglecting to keep the trees out of the power line routes caused that fire.

Rudolph's Mom
Guest
Rudolph's Mom
6 years ago

Or what if they had shut off all power at the first sign of trouble? Could some of the fires have been prevented? Was there no contingency for such an inevitable situation?

guest
Guest
guest
6 years ago

I was being facetious. CARB is useless.

Andrew
Guest
Andrew
6 years ago

Thankyou. You’re the only reporter reporting on the smoke locally.

They could stop the fires if they wanted to. They aren’t using flame retardant; as they have previous years.

koastdog
Guest
koastdog
6 years ago

vaporized/atomized retardent is horrible for your lungs…new studies are finding that it is worse for your health than breathing fire smoke

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago
Reply to  koastdog

In an Urban fire, houses are full of fire retardant products. Couches, carpets, paneling, some clothes, .. the firemen use to say “The fire doesn’t kill the people, the fumes do”.
They hated, despised, the fireproofing companies were forced to do for safety reasons.

As far as fire fighting retardants, I’ve heard that they use a safer, organic product.

local observer
Guest
local observer
6 years ago
Reply to  shak

Phos-Chek ingredients include “trade-secret compounds” which is code for toxic unresearched compounds. it does have an organic biodegradable red dye, but that’s it. most of these ingredients turn into nasty compounds when burned.

shak
Guest
shak
6 years ago
Reply to  local observer

Thanks for the info, local ob.
Even so, I would rather be scared of a few unknown chemicals from a fire retardant, than the known toxins that hundreds of melted wicrowave ovens, electronic systems, carpeting, cleaners, plastics, are being ignored by self appointed experts called HHS and anti-smoking groups.

Did you see the news part where the principle of a school said that masks are available for those who quote unquote want them or who need them due to respiratory problems? The camera then swooped over to a group of masked kids being laughed at by the unmasked kids.
Those masks should be mandatory. The laughing kids will one day think this too, as they’re undergoing chemo treatments from inhaling all the non-environmentally friendly toxins in the Urban fire.

local observer
Guest
local observer
6 years ago
Reply to  shak

I agree, uneducated parents have a huge impact on their kids and the kids pay the price.

Jennifer Prevost
Guest
Jennifer Prevost
6 years ago

Clear skys 8 south of Ukiah.

gasmaskGeorge
Guest
gasmaskGeorge
6 years ago

not too bad on the hill, not sure what the fuss is about