Air Quality Alert Issued Through Labor Day

The San Joaquin Valley and Mariposa County Air Pollution Control Districts have issued an Air Quality Alert due to smoke impacts from the Rim Fire in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and the valley portion of Kern Counties.

This Air Quality Alert is in effect until 12 pm Monday (Labor Day) September 2nd.

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.

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

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.