Why is it so orange outside?
Air quality is bad across the region due to wildfires burning throughout Northern California. It might be a while before things improve.
(Communication towers at the Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville are seen in a photograph taken Wednesday, September 9, 2020. Photo by the author.)
Thanks to several wildfires burning across the state, California officially has the worst air quality in the country. Not that anyone needed to tell you that — just look out the window this morning and you’ll see particulates from the fires painting the sky a dark shade of sherbet orange.
The air quality was bad enough to prompt a mass email from Alert Solano on Wednesday notifying residents that there were no new fires burning in the immediate area. It also triggered a Spare the Air Alert for Solano County cities and rural areas south of Vacaville. (The cities of Dixon and Vacaville do not fall within the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the agency that issues Spare the Air Alerts for the San Francisco Bay Area.)
The National Weather Service in Sacramento says ash and other airborne particles from wildfires burning in Butte County, Yuba County and elsewhere coupled with wind blowing from the north and east is to blame for the nasty air quality being experienced from Sacramento County on down the state. With areas still under a Red Flag Warning until 5 p.m. tonight, the weather agency says wind gust could ramp up to as much as 25 miles per hour, keeping smoke blowing into Solano County and generating conditions that will allow new fires to spread quickly.
Monitor Air Quality
AirNow.gov is the federal government’s air quality index (AQI) website operated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). AirNow.gov offers a robust suite of air quality monitoring and education tools, including information on current fires, interactive air quality maps and city-specific air quality information and forecasts. Click the following links for reports and forecasts for various cities in Solano County:
Air quality on Wednesday and Thursday is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, the elderly and those with certain medical conditions like respiratory problems (asthma, etc.) should take certain precautions, including staying indoors when possible. Things are projected to improve from Friday onward, with air quality forecast to be moderate. Individuals who have unusual sensitivities to air quality are urged to shorten outdoor activities when the air quality is moderate.
The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (YSAQMD) is the agency that reports and forecasts air quality throughout Solano County. In addition to forecast and educational tools, YSAQMD also offers free air quality alerts by email and text message via EnviroFlash.
Take Precautions
Wildfires and bad air quality are becoming a common occurrence in the region. Smoke brought on by these wildfires can affect anyone of any age, regardless of health or habit, and exposure to wildfire particulates can have both short- and long-term health effects.
Certain steps taken now can limit your exposure to the harmful side effects of wildfire smoke:
Limit outdoor time. While everyone should get a certain amount of exercise per week, outdoor exercise during periods of poor air quality can actually do more harm than good because rigorous activities increase the amount of air to the lungs by as much as 20 percent. Exercise indoors when possible.
Stay inside. If you don’t have to go outside, spend most of your time indoors. Try to limit how often you open doors to the outside or windows throughout your home, and run your air conditioner (but not whole house fans or swamp coolers) to help filter circulated air. When air quality improves, change your filter.
Keep pets indoors. Don’t allow cats to go outside and limit dog walks if possible.
Seek medical help. During your regular checkup, talk with your doctor about your health and whether certain conditions put you in a higher risk group when it comes to air quality.
Sign up for air quality alerts. Through EnviroFlash, YSAQMD offers free air quality alerts, and you can control when they’re sent (alerts only when air quality is poor, when a Spare the Air Alert is declared, etc.). These alerts are free.
Wear a specific type of mask. When worn properly, N95-rated face masks help filter out microscopic wildfire particulates. Note that these masks shouldn’t be worn by people with certain respiratory conditions.
For more tips and resources, visit YSAQMD’s website here.
Use Your Headlights
If you can stay indoors, you should, but if you must drive — to school, to work or to run an important errand — it’s always important to use your headlights.
Section 24400 of the California Vehicle Code says cars, trucks and other vehicles must use headlights — not simply daytime running lamps — during periods of “inclement weather.” While usually referring to rain, snow, fog and storms, the Vehicle Code also specifies that “inclement weather” includes “a condition that prevents a driver…from clearly discerning a person or another motor vehicle on the highway from a distance of 1,000 feet.”
The rule applies to any surface road — not just the highway — where visibility is limited, so poor air quality ticks the box. A good rule of thumb is to gauge whether you can see cars and/or buildings more than a quarter-mile up the road. If the answer is no, or you aren’t sure, then use your headlights.
Alert Solano
The Solano County Sheriff’s Department is requesting members of the community sign up for Alert Solano, a free service that offers real-time public safety alerts, including evacuation notices, severe weather, road closures/openings and other critical information. These alerts are delivered by phone call, text messages and/or email messages based on your preference. (Sign up here)
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LNU Solano is not affiliated with Solano County or any public safety agency. During times of crisis, always follow the direction of law enforcement and other public safety officials. Plan ahead for wildfires at www.readyforwildfire.org.