[pct-l] Poor Air Quality in Sierra

[taterno at cox.net]

Hikers, the following bulletin is from the NWS concerning poor Sierra air quality due to smoke.  As Meadow Mary previously said, take care of your lungs.

Tom KI6ASP
The Incredible Bulk


AIR QUALITY ALERT MESSAGE
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CA
911 AM PDT TUE JUN 24 2008

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY...KERN COUNTY...MARIPOSA COUNTY AND TUOLUMNE
COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICTS HAVE ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY
ALERT DUE TO SMOKE IMPACTS FROM FIRES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA.

WINDS ARE TRANSPORTING SMOKE FROM FIRES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA
INTO THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY...PROMPTING LOCAL AIR POLLUTION
OFFICIALS TO ISSUE A HEALTH CAUTIONARY STATEMENT.

SMOKE MAY AFFECT TUOLUMNE...MARIPOSA...MERCED...MADERA..
FRESNO...KINGS...TULARE AND KERN COUNTIES...AIR DISTRICT
FORECASTERS SAID.

LOCALIZED AIR QUALITY COULD FLUCTUATE DEPENDING ON SMOKE IMPACTS.

EXPOSURE TO PARTICLE POLLUTION CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH
PROBLEMS...AGGRAVATE LUNG DISEASE...CAUSE ASTHMA ATTACKS AND
ACUTE BRONCHITIS...AND INCREASE RISK OF RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS.

RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO USE CAUTION AS CONDITIONS WARRANT.
PEOPLE WITH HEART OR LUNG DISEASES SHOULD FOLLOW THEIR DOCTORS
ADVICE FOR DEALING WITH EPISODES OF UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY.

ADDITIONALLY...OLDER ADULTS AND CHILDREN SHOULD AVOID PROLONGED
EXPOSURE...STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES OR HEAVY EXERTION...AS CONDITIONS
DICTATE.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...CALL YOUR LOCAL AIR DISTRICT

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR DISTRICT OFFICES...FRESNO 559.230.6000. ..
BAKERSFIELD 661.326.6900. ..MODESTO 209.557.6400

KERN COUNTY AIR DISTRICT OFFICE...661.862.5250

MARIPOSA COUNTY AIR DISTRICT OFFICE...209.966.2220

TUOLUMNE COUNTY AIR DISTRICT OFFICE...209.533.5693