With Multiple Wildfires Affecting the Area, Here’s the Air Quality Report for Thursday

Press release from North Coast Air Quality Management District:

Coastal areas will continue to see improved air quality with periods of smoke possible depending on location. Inland areas to the north and northwest of the fires will see improvement in air quality depending on conditions. Projected showers arriving on Thursday night into Friday, North of Highway 36, will bring some air quality improvement in the inland valleys. Forecast rainfall amounts will provide some relief for firefighters, due to higher humidity and cooler temperatures. There is a possibility for Thunderstorms in the Trinity Alps for Thursday.

Humboldt County – No Air Quality ADVISORY issued today.

• • Eureka (including Rio Dell to Trinidad) – overall Good conditions.

• • Orleans – Moderate conditions to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups as the day progresses.

• • Weitchpec – Moderate conditions with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

• • Hoopa –Moderate conditions with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

• • Willow Creek – Moderate conditions with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

• • Garberville & Redway and nearby communities west of Highway 101 – Generally Good to Moderate conditions depending on location.

Del Norte County – No Air Quality ADVISORY issued today.

 

• • Crescent City – Overall Good with periods of Moderate conditions.

• • Gasquet – Overall Moderate with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

• • Klamath – Good with periods of Unhealthy of Sensitive Groups.

Trinity County – Air Quality ADVISORY issued today for Hayfork, Trinity Center, and Ruth, Zenia-Kettenpom, Trinity Pines areas.

 

• • Weaverville and surrounding communities – Mostly Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with periods of Unhealthy.

• • Hayfork – Overall Unhealthy conditions likely.

• • Trinity Center – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with periods of Unhealthy conditions.

• • Ruth, Zenia-Kettenpom, Trinity Pines – Unhealthy conditions likely depending on location.

Air Quality Index (AQI Value)	PM 2.5 24hr avg (ug/m3)	Actions to Protect Yourself
Good (0-50)	0-12	None
Moderate (51-100)	12-35	Sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups [USG] (101-150)	35-55	People within USG should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion
Unhealthy (151-200)	55-150	People within USG should avoid all prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion
Very Unhealthy (201-300)	150-250	Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion
Hazardous (>300)	250-500	Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors are located in Crescent City, Gasquet, Eureka, Weaverville, Hoopa, Weitchpec, Willow Creek, Klamath, Trinity Center, Bridgeville, and Garberville. Updates will be provided as conditions change.

Fire information can be found at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ or https://fire.airnow.gov/. Current weather information can be found at www.wrh.noaa.gov.

As with all wildfires, ash fallout is possible depending on fire activity and proximity to the fires. Ash fallout information can be found in the Wildfire Smoke Resources section of our webpage at www.ncuaqmd.org.

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.

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.

Updated guidance from the CDC is available on reducing wildfire smoke exposure given COVID-19 considerations: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/covid-19/reduce_exposure_to_wildfire_smoke_covid-19.html.

For further information, visit the District’s website at www.ncuaqmd.org or call the District’s Wildfire Response Coordinator at (707) 443-3093 x122.