FRESNO (KMJ) — The Soberanes and Mineral Fires, burning in Monterey and Fresno Counties, are blowing bad air into the valley…but there is something we can do to make sure we don’t breath it in.
“Stay indoors where its cool”, advises the Valley Air District’s Cassandra Melching, who adds that inside is also where you’ll have filtered air.
“Definitely utilize our RAAN tool. You can get it online…and it will let you know what air quality is like in your specific area”.
However once the fires are out we’re dependent on the weather to finally push away the bad air.
“If we have a high-pressure system like the one we have right now then it could linger for quite some time. If we get a low-pressure system in then that will help blow the air through the mountain passes then over, and get it out of our valley”.
Wildfires in particular produce particulate matter, which contribute to ozone’s creation and cause serious problems for those in sensitive groups.
“Young children, and elderly, and people who also have pre-existing lung conditions”.
Air officials are expecting poor air quality conditions to continue into next week, based on the projected weather conditions. The impact from these wildfires will continue support concerns until the fires are extinguished.
To check the Real-Time Air Monitoring Stations (RAAN), click here.
