Air quality in Hollister was in the upper range of the moderate category of the Air Quality index by mid-day Monday, Aug. 8, as the ongoing Sobranes Fire near Big Sur continued to spew smoke and ash into the atmosphere — some of which continued to stream toward San Benito County. The ongoing smoky skies prompted the San Benito County Health Department to notify locals about the potential dangers of breathing smoke from the wildfires.
“Wildfire smoke contains significant quantities of respiratory irritants,” the department said in a press release. “The effects of smoke from wildfires range from eye and respiratory tract irritation to more serious disorders including reduced lung function, bronchitis, and exacerbation of asthma. Particles can also affect healthy people causing respiratory symptoms, reduced lung function, and pulmonary inflammation. Populations especially vulnerable to the effects of wildfire smoke include individuals with asthma and other respiratory diseases, individuals with cardiovascular disease, the elderly, infants and children, pregnant women, and smokers.”
The following precautions should be taken while the level of air quality is at an unhealthy level:
• People with asthma, allergies and/or pulmonary and cardiac conditions should stay indoors with the windows and doors closed or consider temporarily leaving the area.
• Avoid outdoor exercise and physical activity. Increased breathing rates bring more pollutants deep into the lungs.
• Reduce other sources of indoor and outdoor air pollution including cigarette smoke, barbequing use of aerosol products, vacuuming, and burning candles or incense.
Check the Monterey Bay Air Resources District website daily for real time air quality information in our region at http://mbard.org/air-quality/.
For more information about the health effects of wildfire smoke, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/features/wildfires/.
The Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control District said the forecast through Wednesday, Aug. 10 calls for winds to blow from the northwest and southwest, carrying smoke toward the Salinas Valley and San Benito County. San Juan and Hollister may experience smoke at times in the moderate range, with cities in the southern portion of the Salinas Valley — such as Greenfield and King City — expected to have air in the unhealthy for sensitive groups category,
Areas closer to the fire, such as Carmel Valley and Big Sur, could reach the very unhealthy category, according to the air district, which cautioned: “If you observe smoke in your area, please use good judgment by avoiding physical exertion and exercise; and consider either sheltering in place with your windows and doors closed, or leaving the area until conditions improve.”
For real-time air quality information, click here.Â