LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Air Quality Management District said it is monitoring the impacts of the Rocky fire, burning since Wednesday near Lower Lake.
The growing fire has resulted in smoke, haze and degraded air quality for portions of Lake County, with the weather patterns east and south pushing the smoke to certain areas, the district reported.
Additional air monitoring has been implemented in the impacted area, according to the district.
The district said the current one-hour average measurement in Lakeport is healthy, with particulate levels at 25 percent of allowed state health-based particulate standards for small respirable particulate and the ultrafine, inhalable particulate.
Those levels are expected to rise, the district said, with the potential for moderate to unhealthy air in areas of Clearlake, Spring Valley, Lower Lake, Morgan Valley, Twin Lakes, Hidden Valley Lake, Jerusalem Grade and possibly portions of Middletown until the Rocky fire is contained.
Impacts are anticipated primarily in the overnight and morning hours, generally clearing by midday.
Regional weather patterns suggest moderate west winds for the next couple days, which will help keep the smoke out of populated areas.
Residents are advised to be cautious in resuming normal outdoor activities. Variable weather conditions and ongoing fire activity may result in localized areas of reduced air quality, which could still pose health risks to people with underlying health conditions.
Since officials can’t always predict when and where “pockets” of poorer air quality may occur, the district suggested that it is prudent to be careful until conditions stabilize.
Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages, which can be hazardous in young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions or chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions.
Air conditioning that recirculates indoor air should be used, when available. Drinking plenty of water to avoid drying of the airways is recommended, unless restricted for medical reasons.
Regional haze and particulates from the Rocky fire are expected to continue throughout Lake County until the fire is out, the district said.
Air quality management district reports on Rocky fire impacts
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