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In a case study, scientists detected the costly infection in cabernet sauvignon grapevines before they showed symptoms visible to the human eye.
Withering molds, root-rotting bacteria, viruses, and other plant pathogens destroy an estimated 15 to 30% of global harvests every year. Early detection can make the difference between a failed crop and a treatable one.
Using an airborne science instrument developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, researchers have found that they can accurately spot the stealthy signs of a grape disease that inflicts billions of dollars in annual crop damage. The remote sensing technique could aid ground-based monitoring for this and other crops.
In a pair of new studies, researchers from JPL and Cornell University focused on a viral disease called GLRaV-3 (short for grapevine leafroll-associated virus complex 3). Primarily spread by insects, GLRaV-3 reduces yields and sours developing fruit, costing the U.S. wine and grape industry some $3 billion in damage and losses annually. It typically is detected by labor-intensive vine-by-vine scouting and expensive molecular testing.
The research team wanted to see if they could help growers identify GLRaV-3 infections early and from the air by using machine learning and NASA’s next-generation Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS-NG).
The instrument’s optical sensor, which records the interaction of sunlight with chemical bonds, has been used to measure and monitor hazards such as wildfires, oil spills, greenhouse gasses, and air pollution associated with volcanic eruptions.
It was during a 2020 campaign to map methane leaks in California that plant pathologist Dr. Katie Gold and her team seized the opportunity to pose a different question: Could AVIRIS-NG uncover undercover crop infection in one of the state’s most important grape-producing regions?
“Like humans, sick plants may not exhibit outward symptoms right away, making early detection the greatest challenge facing growers,” said Gold, an assistant professor at Cornell University and senior author of the new studies. In the case of grapevine leafroll virus, it can take up to a year before a vine betrays the telltale signs of infection, such as discolored foliage and stunted fruit. However, on the cellular level, stress is well underway before then, changing how sunlight interacts with plant tissue.
Aerial advantage
Mounted in the belly of a research plane, AVIRIS-NG observed roughly 11,000 acres of vineyards in Lodi, California. The region — located in the heart of California’s Central Valley — is a major producer of the state’s premium winegrapes.
The team fed the observations into computer models they developed and trained to distinguish infection. To help check the results, industry collaborators scouted more than 300 acres of the vineyards from the ground for visible viral symptoms while collecting vine samples for molecular testing.
Gold noted it was a labor-intensive process, undertaken during a California heat wave. “Without the hard work of the growers, industry collaborators, and the scouting teams, none of what we accomplished would have been possible,” she said. Similar efforts will continue under the NASA Acres Consortium, of which Gold is a lead scientist.
The researchers found that they were able to differentiate noninfected and infected vines both before and after they became symptomatic, with the best-performing models achieving 87% accuracy. Successful early detection of GLRaV-3 could help provide grape growers up to a year’s warning to intervene.
In a complementary paper, the researchers said their case study shows how emerging capabilities in air and space can support ground-based pathogen surveillance efforts. These capabilities include forthcoming missions like NASA’s Surface Biology and Geology, or SBG — part of the fleet of missions that will compose the agency’s Earth System Observatory. They said that SBG will provide data that could be used in combination with machine learning for agricultural decision-making at the global scale.
Fernando Romero Galvan, a doctoral candidate and lead author of both studies, noted that sustainable farming practices are more important than ever in the face of climate change. “I think these are exciting times for remote sensing and plant disease detection,” he said. “Scalable solutions can help growers make data-driven, sustainable crop management decisions.”
“What we did with this study targets one area of California for one disease,” said co-author Ryan Pavlick, a research technologist at JPL. “The ultimate vision that we have is being able to do this across the planet for many crop diseases and for growers all over the world.”
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors is set to discuss a response letter to the state over its approval of a syringe exchange program that officials argue did not offer full consideration to county and city agencies.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 961 9237 3616, pass code 578015. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,96192373616#,,,,*578015#.
All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.
In an item timed for 9:15 a.m., the board will consider a request to the California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, to reconsider state approval of Any Positive Change’s application to provide syringe services in Lake County.
The board also will discuss other options in response to the letter and direction to staff.
In a letter to county officials dated Aug. 3, Marisa Ramos, Ph.D., the chief of CDPH’s Office of AIDS, wrote: “After the HIV outbreak in rural Scott County, Indiana, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an assessment of counties throughout the country to assess their risk for significant increases in hepatitis infections or an HIV outbreak due to injection drug use. Lake County was one of two counties in California identified as being at risk for an outbreak of HIV among people who use drugs. According to data from CDPH’s assessment from 2018, Lake County rated as having a high level of vulnerability to a rapid increase in fatal opioid overdose and a high level of vulnerability to a rapid increase in HIV or viral hepatitis infection related to injection drug use. As shown in the most current Lake County data which was provided to you at the beginning of the consultation process, Lake County is still very much at risk.”
Ramos continued, “CDPH/Office of AIDS has determined that Lake County is at risk for rapid spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, or other blood-borne diseases and that the Any Positive Change meets the state requirements to address this public health need.”
For that reason, as of Aug. 3, Ramos said her office was authorizing Any Positive Change to provide mobile services on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. in front of Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 6302 13th Ave. in Lucerne and on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. on Orchard Street off Highway 53 in Lower Lake.
In addition, Ramos said, “Any Positive Change is authorized to provide home delivery and pick-up, countywide, on Mondays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Home delivery and pick-up includes services to individuals in private residences as well as tents, recreational vehicles, and other non-traditional forms of housing occupied by program participants. Services to unhoused
individuals is an essential part of providing services to people with substance use disorder.”
The proposed response letter the board will consider raises concerns about the public not knowing they had a comment period and that there was lack of meaningful consultation with local law enforcement and Public Health, despite the concerns those agencies voiced.
The letter asks CDPH for reconsideration on the decision so that the county and cities may conclude the memorandum of understanding process with Any Positive Change.
It said that CDPH does not need to permit a syringe exchange program in Lake County because one already exists.
“However, our communities expect local leaders to think of the impacts these services may have in our community balanced with the needs to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. It is important that this remain a locally controlled program and not controlled by the state,” the draft letter said.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve concession agreement for coffee kiosk services by and between the county of Lake and MIX Lakeport LLC in the amount of $200 per month and authorize the chair to sign.
5.2: (a) Approve partnership agreement between the county of Lake, the Lake County Risk Reduction Authority Joint Powers Authority (RRA), and the Lake County Resource Conservation District (RCD) for the planning for an equitable climate safe lake project, and authorize chair to sign; (b) approve grant agreement between the county of Lake and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research for work performed under the Adaptation Planning Grant Program, and authorize county administrative officer or designee to act as grant signatories; (c) approve agreement between the county of Lake and the RRA for Services under the Adaptation Planning Grant Program not to exceed $52,083 and authorize the chair to sign; and (d) approve agreement between the county of Lake and the RCD for Services under the Adaptation Planning Grant Program not to exceed $161,183 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.3: (a) Approve the purchase of an animal control box in the amount of $30,776.15 and (b) authorize the Animal Care and Control director or his designee to issue a purchase order.
5.4: Adopt resolution authorizing the standard agreement between the county of Lake and the Department of Health Care Services for drug Medi-Cal services for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027, and authorizing the Behavioral Health director to sign the standard agreement and the contractor certification clause.
5.5: Approve agreement between county of Lake and Community Behavioral Health for Specialty Mental Health Services for fiscal years 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 in the amount of $600,000.00 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.6: Approve the continuation of the proclamation declaring a shelter crisis urgency due to the current need for sheltering for those experiencing homelessness during the weather and temperature patterns that the county of lake has been experiencing.
5.7: Approve continuation of proclamation declaring a Clear Lake hitch emergency.
5.8: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to pervasive tree mortality.
5.9: Approve continuation of an emergency declaration for drought conditions.
5.10: Approve continuation of a local emergency by the Lake County Sheriff/OES director for the January 2023 Atmospheric River Event.
5.11: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to low elevation snow and extreme cold.
5.12: Approve Board of Supervisors minutes for Aug. 15, 2023.
5.13: Approve amendment one to engagement letter for investigative services between the county of Lake and Van Dermyden Makus Law Corp.
5.14: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, authorize Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $320,000.00 to Giuffre Bros. Cranes, Inc. for the purchase of a Manitex 1970C Crane Truck.
5.15: (a) Waive the competitive bid process per Section 2-38.4, Cooperative Purchases, of the County Code and (b) approve purchase orders for the purchase of three (3) vehicles for Special Districts and authorize the Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to sign the purchase orders.
5.16: Sitting as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Watershed Protection District, a) approve the purchase and sale agreement with Christine Reck for property within the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project and b) authorize the chair of the board of directors to sign the purchase and sale agreement.
5.17: Sitting as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Watershed Protection District, a) Approve the purchase and sale agreement with Gregory Michael Narvaez for properties within the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project and b) authorize the chair of the board of directors to sign the purchase and sale agreement.
5.18: Sitting as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Watershed Protection District, a) approve purchase and sale agreement with Linda Ruth Chandler for property within the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project and authorize the chair of the board of directors to sign the purchase and sale agreement; and B) approve the Well House easement deed and authorize the chair of the board of directors to sign the Well House easement deed.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:07 a.m.: Pet of the Week.
6.3, 9:08 a.m.: New and noteworthy at the Library.
6.4, 9:15 a.m.: a) Consideration of letter requesting California Department of Public Health reconsider state approval of Any Positive Change’s application to provide syringe services in Lake County; and b) Discussion of other options in response to letter and direction to staff.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: a) Consideration of delegation to NACo; and b) consideration of delegation to North Coast Opportunities.
7.3: Consideration of appointment to the Buckingham Park Water District Board.
7.4: a) Consideration of approval to revision to (a) Personnel Rule 1503 — Sick Leave; and b) Consideration of approval to revision to Personnel Rule 1504 — Bereavement Leave; and c) Consideration of approval to revision to 14. Family and Medical Leave and California Family Rights Act; and d) Consideration of approval to new pregnancy disability leave policy.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(1) — One potential case.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 961 9237 3616, pass code 578015. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,96192373616#,,,,*578015#.
All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.
In an item timed for 9:15 a.m., the board will consider a request to the California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, to reconsider state approval of Any Positive Change’s application to provide syringe services in Lake County.
The board also will discuss other options in response to the letter and direction to staff.
In a letter to county officials dated Aug. 3, Marisa Ramos, Ph.D., the chief of CDPH’s Office of AIDS, wrote: “After the HIV outbreak in rural Scott County, Indiana, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an assessment of counties throughout the country to assess their risk for significant increases in hepatitis infections or an HIV outbreak due to injection drug use. Lake County was one of two counties in California identified as being at risk for an outbreak of HIV among people who use drugs. According to data from CDPH’s assessment from 2018, Lake County rated as having a high level of vulnerability to a rapid increase in fatal opioid overdose and a high level of vulnerability to a rapid increase in HIV or viral hepatitis infection related to injection drug use. As shown in the most current Lake County data which was provided to you at the beginning of the consultation process, Lake County is still very much at risk.”
Ramos continued, “CDPH/Office of AIDS has determined that Lake County is at risk for rapid spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, or other blood-borne diseases and that the Any Positive Change meets the state requirements to address this public health need.”
For that reason, as of Aug. 3, Ramos said her office was authorizing Any Positive Change to provide mobile services on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. in front of Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 6302 13th Ave. in Lucerne and on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. on Orchard Street off Highway 53 in Lower Lake.
In addition, Ramos said, “Any Positive Change is authorized to provide home delivery and pick-up, countywide, on Mondays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Home delivery and pick-up includes services to individuals in private residences as well as tents, recreational vehicles, and other non-traditional forms of housing occupied by program participants. Services to unhoused
individuals is an essential part of providing services to people with substance use disorder.”
The proposed response letter the board will consider raises concerns about the public not knowing they had a comment period and that there was lack of meaningful consultation with local law enforcement and Public Health, despite the concerns those agencies voiced.
The letter asks CDPH for reconsideration on the decision so that the county and cities may conclude the memorandum of understanding process with Any Positive Change.
It said that CDPH does not need to permit a syringe exchange program in Lake County because one already exists.
“However, our communities expect local leaders to think of the impacts these services may have in our community balanced with the needs to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. It is important that this remain a locally controlled program and not controlled by the state,” the draft letter said.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve concession agreement for coffee kiosk services by and between the county of Lake and MIX Lakeport LLC in the amount of $200 per month and authorize the chair to sign.
5.2: (a) Approve partnership agreement between the county of Lake, the Lake County Risk Reduction Authority Joint Powers Authority (RRA), and the Lake County Resource Conservation District (RCD) for the planning for an equitable climate safe lake project, and authorize chair to sign; (b) approve grant agreement between the county of Lake and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research for work performed under the Adaptation Planning Grant Program, and authorize county administrative officer or designee to act as grant signatories; (c) approve agreement between the county of Lake and the RRA for Services under the Adaptation Planning Grant Program not to exceed $52,083 and authorize the chair to sign; and (d) approve agreement between the county of Lake and the RCD for Services under the Adaptation Planning Grant Program not to exceed $161,183 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.3: (a) Approve the purchase of an animal control box in the amount of $30,776.15 and (b) authorize the Animal Care and Control director or his designee to issue a purchase order.
5.4: Adopt resolution authorizing the standard agreement between the county of Lake and the Department of Health Care Services for drug Medi-Cal services for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027, and authorizing the Behavioral Health director to sign the standard agreement and the contractor certification clause.
5.5: Approve agreement between county of Lake and Community Behavioral Health for Specialty Mental Health Services for fiscal years 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 in the amount of $600,000.00 and authorize the board chair to sign.
5.6: Approve the continuation of the proclamation declaring a shelter crisis urgency due to the current need for sheltering for those experiencing homelessness during the weather and temperature patterns that the county of lake has been experiencing.
5.7: Approve continuation of proclamation declaring a Clear Lake hitch emergency.
5.8: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to pervasive tree mortality.
5.9: Approve continuation of an emergency declaration for drought conditions.
5.10: Approve continuation of a local emergency by the Lake County Sheriff/OES director for the January 2023 Atmospheric River Event.
5.11: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to low elevation snow and extreme cold.
5.12: Approve Board of Supervisors minutes for Aug. 15, 2023.
5.13: Approve amendment one to engagement letter for investigative services between the county of Lake and Van Dermyden Makus Law Corp.
5.14: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, authorize Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $320,000.00 to Giuffre Bros. Cranes, Inc. for the purchase of a Manitex 1970C Crane Truck.
5.15: (a) Waive the competitive bid process per Section 2-38.4, Cooperative Purchases, of the County Code and (b) approve purchase orders for the purchase of three (3) vehicles for Special Districts and authorize the Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to sign the purchase orders.
5.16: Sitting as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Watershed Protection District, a) approve the purchase and sale agreement with Christine Reck for property within the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project and b) authorize the chair of the board of directors to sign the purchase and sale agreement.
5.17: Sitting as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Watershed Protection District, a) Approve the purchase and sale agreement with Gregory Michael Narvaez for properties within the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project and b) authorize the chair of the board of directors to sign the purchase and sale agreement.
5.18: Sitting as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Watershed Protection District, a) approve purchase and sale agreement with Linda Ruth Chandler for property within the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project and authorize the chair of the board of directors to sign the purchase and sale agreement; and B) approve the Well House easement deed and authorize the chair of the board of directors to sign the Well House easement deed.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:07 a.m.: Pet of the Week.
6.3, 9:08 a.m.: New and noteworthy at the Library.
6.4, 9:15 a.m.: a) Consideration of letter requesting California Department of Public Health reconsider state approval of Any Positive Change’s application to provide syringe services in Lake County; and b) Discussion of other options in response to letter and direction to staff.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: a) Consideration of delegation to NACo; and b) consideration of delegation to North Coast Opportunities.
7.3: Consideration of appointment to the Buckingham Park Water District Board.
7.4: a) Consideration of approval to revision to (a) Personnel Rule 1503 — Sick Leave; and b) Consideration of approval to revision to Personnel Rule 1504 — Bereavement Leave; and c) Consideration of approval to revision to 14. Family and Medical Leave and California Family Rights Act; and d) Consideration of approval to new pregnancy disability leave policy.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(1) — One potential case.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. — Officials said the work to contain a lightning-caused fire on the Mendocino National Forest is continuing to progress, with acreage holding steady and containment growing.
The Slide 1 fire, burning in the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, remains at 473 acres, and containment has increased to 75%.
Firefighters reported little to no movement of the Slide 1 fire during Sunday's shift.
Crews continue to make progress with containment. Plans for suppression repair and resource demobilization are underway.
For the weather forecast firefighters are expecting more clouds, cooler temperatures and potentially .25" of precipitation over Monday and Tuesday.
A drying and warming trend is expected Wednesday through the rest of the week.
Information about the Slide 1 fire and related closures are available on Inciweb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/camnf-2023-slide-1.
The Slide 1 fire, burning in the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, remains at 473 acres, and containment has increased to 75%.
Firefighters reported little to no movement of the Slide 1 fire during Sunday's shift.
Crews continue to make progress with containment. Plans for suppression repair and resource demobilization are underway.
For the weather forecast firefighters are expecting more clouds, cooler temperatures and potentially .25" of precipitation over Monday and Tuesday.
A drying and warming trend is expected Wednesday through the rest of the week.
Information about the Slide 1 fire and related closures are available on Inciweb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/camnf-2023-slide-1.
Science is only beginning to understand how smoke affects our health, but its secret may lie in the size of the particles it emits.
Wildfires are bigger, more severe and more common today in the western United States than at any time in the last four decades, with Maui, Hawaii’s devastating blaze being just the latest tragic example. In California, nearly half of the state’s largest fires on record occurred in the past three years.
We asked UC San Francisco professors of medicine Arianne Teherani, PhD, and Sheri Weiser, MD, why wildfire smoke is particularly bad for your health. Teherani and Weiser cofounded UCSF’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity as an education and research hub to shape climate action by ensuring health systems respond to the climate crisis.
Why have wildfires increased in California?
Climate change intensifies droughts, boosts strong winds, and increases lightning strikes, creating the perfect conditions for wildfires. Meanwhile, more people than ever live on the edges of wildlands that have changed to become more fire-prone. Grazing lands, for example, replaced harder-to-burn native landscapes.
Drier conditions in California and a move away from historical, indigenous controlled-burn practices also means there are more dry plants and trees to burn in these spaces.
Can wildfire smoke make you sick?
Wildfire smoke enters the air as particle pollution, which is sometimes called “particulates” or “particulate matter.” Particulate matter is all around us, both indoors and outdoors, all the time, but wildfires emit massive amounts of particulate matter.
Wildfire smoke contains a mix of chemicals, including those released by homes as they burn – from household cleaners to asbestos siding. Depending on what’s fueling the fire, wildfire smoke can include things like sulfuric acid, dust and mold.
Why is particulate matter from wildfires so bad?
The bulk of wildfire smoke is made up of particulate matter that is about 30 times smaller than a human hair. This type of particulate matter poses the greatest risk to your health because it can work its way deep into your lungs and into your blood.
What are the health risks of inhaling wildfire smoke?
Wildfire smoke can make respiratory conditions like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) worse and increase your risk of respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Not surprisingly, wildfire smoke leads to more emergency room and doctor’s visits.
UCSF researchers are continuing to study wildfire smoke’s health effects. UCSF School of Medicine Associate Professor Jennifer Mulliken, MD and UCSF colleagues found that in California, large wildfires coincide with an 18% to 22% spike in invasive fungal infections like Valley fever.
Valley fever, so called because it was first discovered in California’s San Joaquin Valley, can cause fatigue, body pains and shortness of breath. In some people, Valley Fever causes long-term lung damage.
What can I do to stay safe from wildfire smoke?
• Stay indoors and close your windows and doors.
• Avoid heavy physical activity or being active for long periods of time.
• If you have an air conditioner, set it to recirculation mode and make sure to maintain its filter.
• Use portable air cleaners with HEPA filters.
• Consider using an N95 or K95 mask but be aware that even these masks can’t filter out certain gases released by wildfires. Wearing a mask doesn’t mean that you can work or play as normal outside. Remember that these masks are not suitable for very young children.
• If you have heart or lung disease, ask your health care provider if it is safe for you to wear a respirator.
Who is most at risk of falling ill from wildfire smoke?
• People with asthma and other respiratory diseases.
• People with cardiovascular disease.
• Children.
• Pregnant people.
• Older adults.
• Outdoor workers.
• Low-income communities and those of color.
Can wildfire smoke disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color?
Although most Americans in wildfire hazard zones are more socioeconomically secure, thousands of low-income communities are also on the frontlines for fire risk and lack the resources to prepare or recover from disasters.
For example, some communities may not have the money to pay to insure their homes or belongings or replace them after a fire.
Folks like this may already be at a higher risk for some chronic illnesses due to a lack of access to health care and poor working conditions, making them more vulnerable to smoke.
Laura Lopez Gonzalez writes for the University of California, San Francisco.
Wildfires are bigger, more severe and more common today in the western United States than at any time in the last four decades, with Maui, Hawaii’s devastating blaze being just the latest tragic example. In California, nearly half of the state’s largest fires on record occurred in the past three years.
We asked UC San Francisco professors of medicine Arianne Teherani, PhD, and Sheri Weiser, MD, why wildfire smoke is particularly bad for your health. Teherani and Weiser cofounded UCSF’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity as an education and research hub to shape climate action by ensuring health systems respond to the climate crisis.
Why have wildfires increased in California?
Climate change intensifies droughts, boosts strong winds, and increases lightning strikes, creating the perfect conditions for wildfires. Meanwhile, more people than ever live on the edges of wildlands that have changed to become more fire-prone. Grazing lands, for example, replaced harder-to-burn native landscapes.
Drier conditions in California and a move away from historical, indigenous controlled-burn practices also means there are more dry plants and trees to burn in these spaces.
Can wildfire smoke make you sick?
Wildfire smoke enters the air as particle pollution, which is sometimes called “particulates” or “particulate matter.” Particulate matter is all around us, both indoors and outdoors, all the time, but wildfires emit massive amounts of particulate matter.
Wildfire smoke contains a mix of chemicals, including those released by homes as they burn – from household cleaners to asbestos siding. Depending on what’s fueling the fire, wildfire smoke can include things like sulfuric acid, dust and mold.
Why is particulate matter from wildfires so bad?
The bulk of wildfire smoke is made up of particulate matter that is about 30 times smaller than a human hair. This type of particulate matter poses the greatest risk to your health because it can work its way deep into your lungs and into your blood.
What are the health risks of inhaling wildfire smoke?
Wildfire smoke can make respiratory conditions like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) worse and increase your risk of respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Not surprisingly, wildfire smoke leads to more emergency room and doctor’s visits.
UCSF researchers are continuing to study wildfire smoke’s health effects. UCSF School of Medicine Associate Professor Jennifer Mulliken, MD and UCSF colleagues found that in California, large wildfires coincide with an 18% to 22% spike in invasive fungal infections like Valley fever.
Valley fever, so called because it was first discovered in California’s San Joaquin Valley, can cause fatigue, body pains and shortness of breath. In some people, Valley Fever causes long-term lung damage.
What can I do to stay safe from wildfire smoke?
• Stay indoors and close your windows and doors.
• Avoid heavy physical activity or being active for long periods of time.
• If you have an air conditioner, set it to recirculation mode and make sure to maintain its filter.
• Use portable air cleaners with HEPA filters.
• Consider using an N95 or K95 mask but be aware that even these masks can’t filter out certain gases released by wildfires. Wearing a mask doesn’t mean that you can work or play as normal outside. Remember that these masks are not suitable for very young children.
• If you have heart or lung disease, ask your health care provider if it is safe for you to wear a respirator.
Who is most at risk of falling ill from wildfire smoke?
• People with asthma and other respiratory diseases.
• People with cardiovascular disease.
• Children.
• Pregnant people.
• Older adults.
• Outdoor workers.
• Low-income communities and those of color.
Can wildfire smoke disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color?
Although most Americans in wildfire hazard zones are more socioeconomically secure, thousands of low-income communities are also on the frontlines for fire risk and lack the resources to prepare or recover from disasters.
For example, some communities may not have the money to pay to insure their homes or belongings or replace them after a fire.
Folks like this may already be at a higher risk for some chronic illnesses due to a lack of access to health care and poor working conditions, making them more vulnerable to smoke.
Laura Lopez Gonzalez writes for the University of California, San Francisco.
The formerly pristine reputation of the U.S. government’s debt lost a little more luster after another prominent rating agency demoted Uncle Sam from its AAA perch.
What does a downgrade of U.S. creditworthiness like this actually mean?
While the downgrade is unlikely to have much of an impact in the short term, its implications about the state and size of U.S. indebtedness will likely reverberate on Capitol Hill, where stalled negotiations over the budget could mark a step toward the Biden administration’s first government shutdown.
Fitch Ratings’ decision on Aug. 1, 2023, led to small declines in the stock and bond markets. But as an economist who studies the effects of monetary and fiscal policies, I’ve got longer-term concerns about the downgrade’s implications for U.S. economic growth.
To understand why, you have to look at both the reasons for Fitch’s downgrade and what it means for U.S. borrowing going forward.
Why Fitch downgraded the US
Just like people, the federal government has to balance the income it takes in and the money it spends for each fiscal year. Most federal income consists of tax revenue.
Since 2001, that revenue has rarely covered enough of the costs of everything the U.S. government pays for, from roadways to wars. When federal income falls short, the government fills the gap by borrowing money from investors.
That gap has gotten a lot bigger in recent years as the U.S. has spent trillions fighting COVID-19, contending with financial crises and funding several wars. As of Aug. 1, the U.S. Treasury owed US$32.6 trillion, both to bondholders and other parts of the federal government.
That’s part of the reason that Fitch cut the U.S. government’s long-term creditworthiness by one notch, from AAA – its highest rating – to AA+. Fitch also cited an “erosion of governance,” specifically pointing to recent efforts by conservatives to prevent the U.S. from raising its debt ceiling.
What happened last time
This was not the first time that a rating agency lowered the credit of the U.S. government.
In 2011, Standard & Poor’s, one of Fitch’s competitors, also downgraded its rating for the U.S. from AAA to AA+. S&P similarly blamed governance issues – that downgrade followed a similar debt ceiling standoff – as well as the burden of rising government debt.
At the time, Fitch issued a warning but it didn’t cut the U.S.’s credit rating until now.
The 2011 episode had no long-term effects on financial markets, including Treasury bonds – meaning investors remained happy to continue lending to the U.S. at favorable rates.
Does that mean Fitch’s downgrade will similarly have little long-term impact? Not necessarily.
Why things might be different
Any country seeking to borrow money in perpetuity needs lenders who are happy to lend.
For the U.S., that means it needs a constant supply of buyers for Treasury bonds and the other securities it sells. These securities are sold in auctions and then traded on global financial markets.
Investors of all kinds around the world find Treasurys attractive. They’re seen as safe, because the U.S. government is considered less likely to default than, say, a company going bankrupt.
Rating agencies like Fitch assess these risks and periodically adjust their credit rating scores based on their assessment on the ability of the federal government – and other borrowers – to keep up with their debt obligations.
“Repeated debt-limit political standoffs and last-minute resolutions have eroded confidence in fiscal management,” Fitch said in its announcement, in a reference to recurring fights among lawmakers over raising the debt ceiling.
But if economists and financial analysts deem Treasurys to be growing riskier, then investors may become less interested in buying them. Alternatively, they may demand a higher interest rate in exchange for taking on the risk that the U.S. may default on its debts.
So, however the market reacts, I believe that this downgrade reflects the real deterioration of America’s fiscal standing as well as its ability to safeguard it.
And as economists and financial analysts decide Treasurys are becoming a riskier security to hold – whether because of the size of overall U.S. debt or because political brinkmanship is making a once-unthinkinkable default more likely – then investors may become less interested in buying them. Or, at least, they may demand the U.S. pay them more to take on the risk, resulting in higher borrowing costs for the government.
Ultimately, this means there will be less money for everything else the U.S. might want to spend money on – or the overall debt load will rise even faster.
Limited options
To cover its growing borrowing costs, the federal government has few options – none good.
It can borrow more money, which is seen as riskier – like taking out one loan to pay off another – and could result in an even lower credit rating and a continuous spiral of rising borrowing costs. Or it could hike tax rates or cut spending, both of which have political consequences and could be hard to accomplish given the degree of polarization in Congress.
Furthermore, research has shown that higher government debt is generally associated with lower long-term economic growth, which reinforces the problem by reducing revenue and thus requiring more debt.
So, while Fitch’s downgrade doesn’t signal an imminent financial crisis, it does serve as a warning as Congress engages in its fiscal fights – including the one over the budget that will heat up in September.
Hakan Yilmazkuday, Professor of Economics, Florida International University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — In response to the recent wildfires that have ravaged the beautiful island of Maui, Wine in the Willows and the Lakeport Club of Rotary are proud to announce a special fundraising event aimed at providing support to those affected by the fires.
The Maui fire fundraiser will take place on Aug. 23, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Wine in the Willows venue, 125 Park St.
This event promises to be an evening of compassion, community and contribution. Guests are invited to come together in a show of solidarity to help those impacted by the Maui fires.
Event highlights include:
• Wine delights: Wine enthusiasts and supporters alike will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of exquisite wines available for purchase by the glass or bottle. Savor the flavors and raise a glass to support a vital cause.
• Charcuterie tray for donation: Indulge in a delectable charcuterie tray available for donation. Guests can enjoy an assortment of gourmet cheeses, cured meats, and artisanal accompaniments while making a meaningful contribution to the Maui Fire Fund.
• Silent auction: Exciting bidding wars are on the horizon with a captivating silent auction featuring an array of unique items and experiences. From local wines to dinner for four, they will have something to inspire you.
• Generosity in action: Wine in the Willows is committed to making a difference. With every donation and 20% of each purchase made during the event, the Maui Fire Fund will receive much-needed financial support to aid in recovery and relief efforts.
• Hawaiian spirit: Attendees are encouraged to embrace the island vibes and show their support by wearing a Hawaiian shirt. Let's come together as a community and create a colorful tapestry of unity that will shine as bright as the Maui sun.
No RSVP required and the event is open to all.
This Maui Fire Fundraiser at Wine in the Willows is an opportunity for everyone to join hands and hearts in support of a community facing challenging times.
“Through collective efforts, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by the fires,” the organizers said.
The Maui fire fundraiser will take place on Aug. 23, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Wine in the Willows venue, 125 Park St.
This event promises to be an evening of compassion, community and contribution. Guests are invited to come together in a show of solidarity to help those impacted by the Maui fires.
Event highlights include:
• Wine delights: Wine enthusiasts and supporters alike will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of exquisite wines available for purchase by the glass or bottle. Savor the flavors and raise a glass to support a vital cause.
• Charcuterie tray for donation: Indulge in a delectable charcuterie tray available for donation. Guests can enjoy an assortment of gourmet cheeses, cured meats, and artisanal accompaniments while making a meaningful contribution to the Maui Fire Fund.
• Silent auction: Exciting bidding wars are on the horizon with a captivating silent auction featuring an array of unique items and experiences. From local wines to dinner for four, they will have something to inspire you.
• Generosity in action: Wine in the Willows is committed to making a difference. With every donation and 20% of each purchase made during the event, the Maui Fire Fund will receive much-needed financial support to aid in recovery and relief efforts.
• Hawaiian spirit: Attendees are encouraged to embrace the island vibes and show their support by wearing a Hawaiian shirt. Let's come together as a community and create a colorful tapestry of unity that will shine as bright as the Maui sun.
No RSVP required and the event is open to all.
This Maui Fire Fundraiser at Wine in the Willows is an opportunity for everyone to join hands and hearts in support of a community facing challenging times.
“Through collective efforts, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by the fires,” the organizers said.