FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2012

A JOINT AIR QUALITY ADVISORY ISSUED BY THE  

BUTTE COUNTY AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT and

BUTTE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

To:

Public Safety Personnel    School Officials

News Media    Sac. Valley Air Basin Coordinating Council

Adjacent Air Quality Management Districts    County Health Officer

Butte County & City Managers    California Air Resources Board

Local/State Law & Fire Federal     Environmental Protection Agency

Local Hospitals      

   

From: W. James Wagoner, Air Pollution Control Officer

     Dr. Mark Lundberg, MD, Health Officer

The Butte County Air Quality Management District Air Pollution Control Officer, and the Butte County Public

Health Officer are issuing this Air Quality Advisory to notify the public of continuing poor air quality conditions in

the foothill region of Butte County due to smoke from the Chips fire.  Conditions are expected to worsen daily

between late mornings to early afternoon, with improved air quality during the remainder of the day. These

conditions will continue until the fire is extinguished.  Smoke impacts to valley locations will also periodically

occur.

The major air pollutant of concern is fine particulate matter also known as PM2.5. While all persons may

experience varying degrees of symptoms, the more sensitive individuals, such as the young, aged and those with

respiratory conditions are of greatest risk at experiencing more aggravated symptoms which may include, but

are not limited to coughing, watery and itchy eyes, and difficulty in breathing.

Persons experiencing questionable or severe symptoms should seek professional medical advice and treatment.

The following actions are recommended in areas impacted by smoke:

 Stay indoors with windows and doors closed; run air conditioner on “recirculation” setting;

 Limit outdoor exertion by children, students and adults;

 Reduction in travel including unnecessary driving;  

 Avoid the use of non‐HEPA paper face mask filters which are not capable of filtering extra fine

particulates.

Below is today’s air quality forecast. Any value above 100 on the AQI chart is considered unhealthy. The AQI

reported is based on the monitored 24‐hour average of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at each site. Since the

AQI is an average, air quality can reach levels above and below the average during the day.   

Chico:  Today the AQI level in Chico is forecast to reach GOOD, Tomorrow (Tuesday) – MODERATE.

Gridley: Today the AQI level in Gridley is forecast to reach GOOD, Tomorrow (Tuesday) ‐ MODERATE.
Paradise: Today the AQI level in Paradise is forecast to reach UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS,

Tomorrow (Tuesday) – UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS.   

Keep in mind that air quality can change rapidly at different times during the day due to wind shifts; therefore, it

is important to monitor the smoke throughout the day in your area and make outdoor plans accordingly. The Air

Quality Index (AQI) and Visibility Chart below may be used to estimate the air quality in your area.

Questions may be directed to the Butte County Air Quality Management District at 332‐9400 during regular

business hours.   

Information will be updated and posted to the District website as available at www.bcaqmd.org.  

Air Quality Index (AQI): Particle Pollution and Visibility Chart 

Index 

Values 

Levels 

of Health 

Concern 

Cautionary Statements Visibility Range in Miles 

0-50 Good None 10+ miles 

51-100* Moderate 

Unusually sensitive people 

should consider reducing 

prolonged or heavy 

exertion. 

5 – 10 miles 

101-150 Unhealthy for 

Sensitive Groups 

People with heart or lung 

disease, older adults, and 

children should reduce 

prolonged or heavy 

exertion. 

3 – 5 miles 

151-200 Unhealthy 

People with heart or lung 

disease, older adults, and 

children should avoid 

prolonged or heavy 

exertion. Everyone else 

should reduce prolonged or 

heavy exertion. 

1.5 – 2.5 miles

201-300 Very Unhealthy 

People with heart or lung 

disease, older adults, and 

children should avoid all 

physical activity outdoors. 

Everyone else should avoid 

prolonged or heavy 

exertion. 

1 – 1.25 miles 

301-500 Hazardous 

People with heart or lung 

disease, older adults, and 

children should remain 

indoors and keep activity 

levels low. Everyone else 

should avoid all physical 

activity outdoors. 

< 0.75 miles