Poor air quality descends upon Auburn area due to Mosquito Fire

Areas of Auburn were experiencing hazardous air quality as a result of the Mosquito Fire near Foresthill on Thursday and Friday morning. According to PurpleAir, areas near Downtown Auburn were registering above 400 (with some areas above 500), which is hazardous and a health warning of emergency conditions. According to IQAir, the top 10 worst air quality index ratings Thursday and Friday morning were Foresthill, Cool, Georgetown, Newcastle, Loomis, Granite Bay, North Auburn and Auburn. Auburn Union School District Superintendent Amber Lee-Alva said students in her K-8 district are being kept inside due to the air quality. She also said vents that circulate outdoor air have been closed to protect indoor air quality. Placer Union High School District emailed a message to parents saying their schools would be kept open, despite the air quality. "In most cases, our schools are better equipped than residential homes with higher-quality air ventilation and filtration systems," Superintendent George Sziraki stated in his letter. Sziraki said if the air quality reaches a hazardous level (301-500), PUHSD would seek counsel from Placer County Public Health if the school(s) should close. The decision to close schools due to poor air quality will not take place if the school day is in progress; however, students will be kept indoors, as needed. The decision to close schools would be made before the start of the school day by the district office. School was not cancelled for students Thursday or Friday. On Wednesday, Placer County Health and Human Services and the Placer County Air Pollution Control District issued a joint air quality advisory through Friday to notify the public of the potential for poor air quality conditions from smoke from the Mosquito Fire in Placer and El Dorado counties. Wildfire smoke may be intermittent and affect different areas of Placer County with elevated levels of particulate matter, dependent upon wind direction. Poor air quality can have negative health impacts, particularly for sensitive groups and when exposure is prolonged. Information on air quality and smoke can be found on AirNow's Fire and Smoke webpage at https://fire.airnow.gov, which shows data from permanent and temporary particulate monitors along with low-cost sensors; www.sparetheair.com will show daily air quality forecasts. Smoke contains tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. While all people may experience varying degrees of symptoms, more sensitive individuals - such as the young, aged and those with respiratory conditions - are at greatest risk of experiencing serious symptoms. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, coughing, watery and itchy eyes, headache, scratchy throat and difficulty breathing. If you can see or smell smoke, avoid all unnecessary outdoor activities, especially if you are in an area where visibility is greatly reduced. Here are recommended ways to reduce smoke exposure: ·&emsp;Stay indoors with the windows and doors closed; if possible, run the air conditioner on the "recirculation" setting. ·&emsp;Limit outdoor physical activity. ·&emsp;Leave smoke-impacted areas if possible until conditions improve. ·&emsp;Reduce unnecessary driving. If traveling through smoke-impacted areas, be sure your vehicle's ventilation system is on recirculate. Non‐HEPA paper face mask filters and bandana-type face coverings are not capable of filtering out extra-fine smoke particulates, which are much smaller in size. Therefore, they will not be helpful in protecting individuals from smoke-related impacts. Anyone experiencing serious symptoms due to smoke should contact a health professional. Persons who have a respiratory-related illness may also wish to consult their health-care provider if they are experiencing smoke exposure. Air quality can change rapidly at different times during the day due to wind shifts; monitor smoke throughout the day and make outdoor plans accordingly. Smoke information can also be found on the district's website at https://www.placerair.org/8126/Smoke or through the QR code at the top of the page.