Michael Smith submitted this photo of Tuesday’s smoky sunset.
Not long after the first hint of smoke from the Gann Fire wafted over the Sierra Nevada, Alpine County Public Health Officer Dr. Richard Johnson issued advice for protecting from smoke.
“Although we have been spared so far during this summer, looks like all Alpine County communities are in the yellow — moderate for group 1 individuals,” he said. “Things are expected to get worse over the next few days. If possible, limit your exposure to smoke.”
Visit fire.airnow.gov to track conditions.
The Gann Fire is burning 7,000 acres near San Andreas in Calaveras County with no containment reported as of this morning.
Visibility at Minden-Tahoe Airport dropped briefly down to 7 miles at 6:55 a.m.
Below are some tips and recommendations to protect your health:
Avoid Smoky Periods. Smoke often changes over the course of the day. Track conditions and plan your activities to avoid the worst pe-riods of air quality.
Stay Indoors. During elevated levels of smoke do not go outdoors.
Reduce Activity. Reducing physical activity lowers the amount of inhaled pollutants and reduces health risks during smoke events.
Smoke Exposure. Children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to smoke exposure.
If you or someone in your family have symptoms related to smoke exposure such as difficulty breathing, prolonged coughing or chest pain contact your health care provider.
Keep Indoor Air Clean. Close all windows and doors. Swamp coolers do not offer filtration and should not be used during smoky conditions. Air conditioners may be run with the fresh air intake closed. If you are unable to keep your indoor air clean or it is too hot, con-sider relocating to an area with cleaner air. Some indoor air filter systems may improve indoor air quality. More information is provided in the additional resources below.
Do Not Rely on Masks for Protection. Dust masks or bandanas do not offer protection. An N95 respirator, properly fitted and worn, will offer some protection but an N95 that is loose or that does not fit properly will not decrease exposure. In addition, a properly fitted N95 can be difficult to breathe through and may not be suitable for use over an extended time or for individuals with health conditions.
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