11/16/18 Update: Through Monday, November 19, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, in conjunction with Sacramento County Public Health, continues to advise residents to take precautions, stay indoors with doors and windows closed, and minimize outdoor activities due to smoke from the Camp Fire.
11/15/18, P.M. Update: Due to the extraordinary circumstances of the smoke impacts to our region, the Sacramento County Public Health Officer is advising all residents, businesses and schools that if you see or smell smoke, to take the following actions:
- Stay indoors with doors and windows closed as much as possible.
- Minimize outdoor activities if you see or smell smoke, even if you’re healthy, and avoid exposure particularly for children, elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions by staying inside and limiting physical activity.
- N95 masks are not generally recommended to the general public due to the impact on breathing and dust masks are not effective.
- Asthmatics should follow their asthma management plan.
- The short-term exposures to wildfire smoke particulate matter range from eye and respiratory tract irritation, reduced lung function, bronchitis, and exacerbation of asthma and other pre-existing heart and respiratory conditions.
- Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms you believe to be caused by smoke.
- Schools are minimizing the smoke exposure to students by canceling or moving all outdoor activities such as recess, PE, and after-school athletics indoors. Schools have also been encouraged to continue to accommodate families that choose to keep their children home due to health concerns related to the air quality by excusing absences and allowing students to make-up their work. Schools have been advised to evaluate their facility's indoor air quality and air filtration in order to decide if the school should remain open. If schools close, parents and guardians are reminded to limit children’s outdoor activities and stay indoors with doors and windows closed as much as possible.
- The smoke from the devastating Butte County fire may continue to impact our area into next week.
- Sacramento County Public Health will continue to coordinate with the Sac Metro Air District to monitor the air quality and will advise the public accordingly with the ongoing smoke impacting the region.
11/15/18 A.M. Update - Due to the wildfire smoke, the Sacramento County Public Health Officer has been advising since Monday, November 12, that Sacramento County school districts minimize the smoke exposure to students by canceling or moving all outdoor activities such as recess, PE, and after-school athletics indoors. Additionally, schools have been advised to evaluate their facility's indoor air quality and air filtration in order to decide if the school should remain open. N95 masks are not recommended for children due to the impact on breathing. Schools have also been encouraged to continue to accommodate families that choose to keep their children home due to health concerns related to the air quality by excusing absences and allowing students to make-up their work. Sacramento County Public Health will continue to coordinate with the Sac Metro Air District to monitor the air quality and will advise the school districts accordingly with the ongoing smoke impacting the region. The recommendations of the Wildfire Smoke Statement has been extended through Friday, November 16, 2018.
11/14/18 Update: The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, in conjunction with Sacramento County Public Health has extended the recommendations of the Wildfire Smoke Statement through Friday, November 16, 2018.
November 11, 2018:
The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, in conjunction with Sacramento County Public Health, is advising residents to take precautions and minimize outdoor activities if they see or smell smoke transported by the Camp Fire in Butte County.
Smoke from this fire most likely will affect Sacramento through Wednesday, November 14 but may last longer depending on the strength and direction of the winds and the fire status. Due to the unpredictable nature of wildfire smoke, particulate matter (PM) pollution levels can be elevated in one area, but not another.
Wildfire smoke is harmful to your health. If you see or smell smoke, take the following actions:
- Minimize outdoor activities if you see or smell smoke, even if you’re healthy
- Children, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions should be particularly careful to avoid exposure
- Stay indoors with doors and windows closed as much as possible
- Asthmatics should follow their asthma management plan
- Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms you believe to be caused by smoke
- Those with heart disease should especially limit their smoke exposure since PM can cause heart attacks
- For those without filtered indoor air, Dr. Kasirye, Public Health Officer for Sacramento County, reminds people of options for places to seek indoor respite from smoke, such as shopping malls, community centers, public libraries, or coffee shops.
For more information, visit the Sac Metro Air District’s wildfire page at http://www.airquality.org/Air-Quality-Health/Climate-Change/Public-Outreach/Wildfire-Smoke-Information
You may also download the free Sacramento Region Air Quality app or sign up for Air Alert emails at www.SpareTheAir.com.
Sacramento County Public Health Officer Advisement on Mask Use
At this time, the Sacramento County Public Health Officer is advising only the appropriate use of the N95 respirator mask for those in the fire zone that do not have access to filtered or recirculated air and instead is strongly advising the residents of the Sacramento County region to stay indoors and avoid exposure to smoke. Prolonged use of N95 respirator mask can exacerbate symptoms in those with respiratory problems. N95 respirator mask use by those with heart and respiratory diseases can be dangerous, and should only be done under a doctor’s supervision.
