High winds topple trees in Fresno area, snarling traffic and canceling fair’s horse racing

A low-pressure weather system moving into the central San Joaquin Valley prompted officials with the National Weather Service in Hanford to issue a wind advisory and a Red Flag Warning on Monday.

Gusty winds blew down tree limbs, caused power outages and made travel difficult at times in the Fresno area.

The Big Fresno Fair called off its scheduled horse races due to the unhealthy air quality index “for the safety of our horses and jockeys,” Fair Deputy Manager II Lauri King said in a news release.

King said staff had determined it’s unsafe to compete with the AQI is above 150 — and Monday’s AQI was 225, King said, when the decision was made to cancel the races.

King said the fair will aim to add Monday’s scheduled races to Friday’s card.

King also said anyone who bought horse racing tickets Monday can obtain a refund at the horse racing box office. If they were purchased in advance or online, a refund will be provided automatically within five business days.

Kearney Park in Fresno also was closed for the day due to the high winds.

The weather service noted that the front is moving in from Northern California and the strongest winds will be in the Kern County mountains and the Kern desert areas, including Grapevine, Tehachapi and Walker passes.

Blowing dust and sand are also likely lowering visibility and increasing particulate matter 10 microns or smaller, (PM10) in the air, creating hazardous breathing conditions, especially for those with breathing and lung conditions. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District urged people with heart or lung disease to follow doctors’ advice for dealing with episodes of particulate exposure.

To monitor air quality, go to www.airnow.gov.

This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 7:30 AM.