Release 08-64

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2008

Dimitri Stanich

(916)716-8047

(916)322-2990

www.arb.ca.gov

ARB strengthens its health warning associated with wildfire smoke

SACRAMENTO: With wildfires continuing to burn, high temperatures lingering 

and lack of on-shore winds, state public health officials are advising people to 

limit their physical activities until particulate matter levels start dropping. 

Air quality experts with the California Air Resources Board will be available all 

day today to interview on the health effects posed by the wildfires. In particular, 

ARB is strongly recommending that young athletes, runners and others do not 

exercise when air quality is deemed unhealthy by public health officials. Further, 

people with heart and lung disease, including asthma, should protect themselves 

from smoke by staying indoors with air conditioning turned to "recirculate". This is 

particularly important in areas of heavy smoke .

The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a tool people can use to take action when 

particle levels reach unhealthy ranges. 

To learn about current air quality conditions in your community using the AQI, go 

to: www.AirNow.gov .

For ARB's health advisory for smoke, please go here. 

To schedule an interview, call (916) 322-2990.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. 

ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through 

effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. 

The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based 

air quality standards.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate action 

to reduce energy consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your 

energy cost, see our web site at http://www.arb.ca.gov
Release 08-58

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 18, 2008

Dimitri Stanich

(916)322-2825

www.arb.ca.gov

Health advisory for Northern and Central California

__________

Wildfires in Northwest California 

Keep Air Quality Index in the Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy Range

SACRAMENTO -- Poor air quality continues to plague the northwestern counties 

of California as the wildfires create very unhealthy conditions. Parts of eastern 

Humboldt County and Trinity County have experienced unusually persistent 

smoky days this week. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of 

emergency (link) in Humboldt County on August 6, 2008, 'as a result of the 

numerous wildfires that have led to unprecedented smoke conditions and 

unhealthy air quality.' Residents are urged to take all necessary precautions to 

protect their health. The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District has 

again issued health advisories for its local communities. 

Particulate monitors are located in Orleans, Big Bar, Junction City, Ruth, Hayfork, 

Weaverville, Ft. Jones, Somes Bar, and Willow Creek. These serve as the basis 

for the health advisories. 
The graphic above is a depiction of the breadth and relative concentration of the 

smoke plume forecast for a three-day period. It was generated by an 

experimental smoke model by the US Forest Service using known and projected 

aspects of fire behavior, terrain, and the weather. If you have any comments, 

questions, or suggestions about the model output, please contact Mr. Trent 

Proctor, of the USFS at 559-784-1500 x1114, or email him at tprocter@fs.fed.us.

The Air Resources Board and numerous local air quality agencies in Northern 

California recommend individuals in areas with 'Unhealthy' air quality indexes 

suspend outdoor activities. For information on air quality in your area go to

www.Airnow.gov and use the drop down menu to select California, or go to the 

North Coast Unified AQMD web site at www.ncuaqmd.org.

The following pictures, from different vantage points, were provided by the North 

Coast district of the Hoopa Valley earlier this month and demonstrate how 

visibility can help determine the health category at the moment.
An individual can approximate air quality levels by using simple visibility 

measurements from weather reports and airport visibility observations. With that 

information, air quality is classified as *Moderate* if visibility is 6-9 miles , 

'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' at 3-5 miles, 'Unhealthy' at 1.5 to almost three 

miles, 'Very Unhealthy' between 1 and 1.5 miles and 'Hazardous' when visibility 

is less than a mile. A person can also make a estimate of his or her own by 

estimating the distance to a known object. To do that, be sure you have the sun 

at your back and use an object at a known distance from your position (Internet 

mapping programs such as Google or Yahoo Maps can be very helpful).

Air quality and health officials are urging the public to stay informed about 

regional air pollution levels through local media and air pollution control district 

web pages, and take the following actions when the air is unhealthy:

Stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Run window air-conditioners 

on the "re-circulate" setting, if available;

Most residential central air conditioning systems re-circulate the air inside 

the home, so these can be operated normally; however, a small 

percentage of newer homes have mechanical ventilation systems that 

actively bring in outdoor air, and these should be turned off or set to a "recirculate" mode, if available. Do not run swamp coolers or whole house 

fans;

Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise, during smoky 

conditions; and,

People in a "high risk" group or those who cannot find adequate shelter 

from the smoke need to move to an emergency shelter.

If you must be outside in a smoky area, healthy individuals may wish to wear a 

mask called a "particulate respirator." These resemble common dust masks but 

are substantially more effective at removing the airborne small particles produced 

from fires. Choose one that has two straps and has NIOSH, and either N95 or 

P100 printed on it and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. For more 

information on N-95 or P100 go to the California Department of Public Health 

web page here.
It is harder to breathe with these masks on so check with your doctor before 

using one if you have heart or lung disease, and take frequent rests if you must 

work. Do not use bandanas (wet or dry), paper masks, or tissues held over the 

mouth and nose as these are ineffective and will not protect your lungs from 

wildfire smoke. N-95 or P-100 respirators work best when sealed closely to the 

face. Beards defeat the needed seal.

The most effective way to reduce exposure and avoid the ill effects of smoke is to 

stay indoors. Eliminate outdoor activities while air quality is in the unhealthy 

range. Exposure and the ensuing health effects are dependent on the amount of 

time spent outside, level of exertion, and air quality. Effects can be as mild as 

irritation of eye, nose and throat; and headache; or as serious as triggered 

asthma episodes or stresses on weakened cardiovascular systems.

Children and older individuals should be especially careful when the threat of 

exposure is high. Those with pre-existing heart and lung problems should 

consider curtailing activities at the AQI level of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. 

Even healthy people may experience some symptoms in smoky conditions.

It is especially important for people with respiratory or heart disease monitor their 

health. If their symptoms worsen they should immediately consult with their 

health care providers. Individuals with moderate or severe heart or respiratory 

disease should consider alternatives and stay away from areas with high smoke 

concentrations. Such individuals should evaluate whether evacuation might 

actually cause greater exposure than staying at home using other precautions 

described above if smoke is already present in substantial quantities.

Additionally, small pets can also be impacted by unhealthy air and should be 

brought indoors if possible.

Making the decision to cancel or reschedule active outdoor events is difficult, but 

when smoke levels reach unhealthy levels coupled with very high temperatures, 

the prudent decision is to protect yours and the health of others.

Public officials may take the precautions of closing schools and businesses, 

canceling public events and calling for evacuation. If you are evacuated, make 

sure to drive with the windows rolled up and the air conditioner set to re-circulate.

For current information about local smoke conditions, find your local air quality 

management group here.

For current and forecast particulate matter AQI information click here.

More information on how to protect yourself is available here.

For a guide for public officials on wildfire smoke go here.
______________

Below are photos of filters used to in monitors that measure particulate matter in 

the air. The samples ran for about one day. The white filter is a blank unexposed 

filter. The brown one is from Willits and the blackest one is from Ukiah. The 

Ukiah sample would be labeled 'Very Unhealthy.' Images courtesy of Mendocino 

County Air Pollution Control District. You can see their webpage here: 

http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/aqmd/index.htm .

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. 

ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through 

effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. 

The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based 

air quality standards.

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