Air quality in San Joaquin Valley is ‘worst we’ve ever had,’ officials say

The Valley Air District on Tuesday declared air quality in the central San Joaquin Valley has never been worse and urged residents to stay indoors.

“This has been really exceptional, and I would say this is the worst air quality wildfire period that we’ve ever had,” said Jon Klassen, director of air quality science and planning, during a video news conference.

The San Joaquin Valley is enveloped by some of the largest fires in California history. The Creek Fire, burning along both sides of the San Joaquin River near Mammoth Pool, Shaver Lake, Big Creek, and Huntington Lake, is the state’s largest-ever single-fire incident. The SQF Complex Fire has scorched 150,800 acres in and near the Sequoia National Park and forest.

The fires have burned nearly 3.8 million acres statewide, according to Cal Fire. And they’re only getting started, with several new fires cropping up over the past week.

Winds and lower air pressure allowed the smoke to blow through and out of the Valley in the past week, clearing the skies. But as winds have died down and air pressure mounted, a sort of lid has come down over the region and trapped the hazardous air, Klassen explained.

Air quality will continue to deteriorate over the coming days, reaching a peak early next week, officials warned.

“The number one piece of advice we’re giving the public at this time is to stay inside,” said Chief Communications Officer Jaime Holt.

Not even cloth or paper masks that protect people from the coronavirus will help in this case, she added.

“The smoke can get around the masks and actually get into your lungs and into your bloodstream,” Holt said.

The hazardous air is linked to asthma attacks and other respiratory issues, as well as cardiovascular issues and even dementia, Holt said.

N95 masks are recommended but in scarce supply. Holt urged outdoor workers to ask for these masks from their employers. Employers are required to make masks available to employees free of charge if the air quality index for particulate matter 2.5 exceeds 151, per state statute. The Bee has reported many farmworkers have failed to get one despite these regulations.

Holt also recommended that people change their air filters at home and in their cars. If you need an air filter, The Bee has created a guide to help make one at home.

The Valley Air District will issue another health caution statement this afternoon.

You can check the daily air quality forecast on ValleyAir.org.

This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 11:50 AM.