Air Quality Alert Extended

The Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District has issued an Air Quality Alert for Tuolumne County due to smoke impacts from the Rim Fire.

The Air Quality Alert is in effect until 12 PM Friday.

Most mountain and foothill communities in Tuolumne County and portions of Yosemite National Park have been and are continuing to be impacted by smoke.

Exposure to particle pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, cause asthma attacks and acute bronchitis and increase risk of respiratory infections.

Residents are advised to use caution as conditions warrant. People with heart or lung diseases should follow their doctors advice for dealing with episodes of unhealthy air quality.

Older adults and children should avoid prolonged exposure, strenuous activities or heavy exertion as conditions dictate.

For more information, call the Tuolumne County Air District at 209-533-5693.

Additionally, according to the National Weather Service, there will be a daily threat of afternoon and evening thunderstorms in the Sierra Nevada through Monday.

The primary threat from these storms will be cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty and erratic winds and locally heavy rainfall which could cause rises in creeks and streams and possible localized flooding of mountain roads.