Sacramento, CA – The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, in consultation with Sacramento County Health Officer, Dr. Olivia Kasirye, is advising residents to take precautions and avoid outdoor activities today through Tuesday, August 18th due to smoke being transported into Sacramento County from Northern California wildfires.
If you smell or see smoke, you should take the following actions:
- Everyone should avoid outdoor activities if you can 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
"Smoke can affect anyone, but it's especially harmful to seniors, children and people who have existing breathing problems like asthma or emphysema," said Sacramento County Health Officer, Dr. Olivia Kasirye. "The fine particles in smoke can make it harder to breathe and reduce oxygen intake so if you see or smell smoke please avoid outdoor exertion," she added.
Check current conditions or sign-up for Air Alert notifications at www.SpareTheAir.com. New this year is the Sacramento Region Air Quality App available on Android, Apple and Windows phones. All these services make it easier for residents to stay aware of air quality conditions.
Contact:
Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD Communications Office, (916) 874-4888
Sacramento County Public Health, (916) 875-5881
