Lake County air quality remains in ‘unhealthy’ to ‘hazardous’ range

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Air Quality Management District said the Mendocino Complex is continuing to negatively impact local air quality, with the heavy smoke making conditions unhealthy for most and even hazardous for others.

The Ranch and River fires, burning since Friday, led to the “very unhealthy” to “hazardous” air quality alert, according to Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart.

Gearhart said the current particulate levels in Lake County are in the range from “unhealthy” to “hazardous” throughout Lake County.

The unhealthy to hazardous levels of smoke are expected to continue through Tuesday. All areas may experience very unhealthy to hazardous air quality, and individuals should take precautions, Gearhart said.

With air quality forecast to be in the unhealthy to hazardous range, people are recommended to use caution, avoid strenuous activity, avoid outdoor activities, reduce other sources of air pollution – such as smoking, use of aerosol products, frying or broiling meats, burning candles, vacuuming, etc. – and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

Localized areas in the higher levels of hazardous air quality can be expected for the several days, until the local fires are partially contained and the weather pattern shifts to clear the smoke, Gearhart said.