Residents of cities in western and central parts of Contra Costa County – especially those with respiratory sensitivities like asthma – are urged to stay inside with windows and doors closed and limit outdoor activity due to poor air quality in the area.
Air quality in these areas have been measured at unhealthy levels this morning as a result of smoke from large fires burning in the region. (See ABC7 News report for video and list of fires). A health advisory issued last night for eastern parts of Contra Costa County has been lifted. Other areas in the county may be impacted by the smoke as wind conditions change.
People in the affected areas should avoid contact with the smoke and minimize any time spent outdoors, especially older adults, pregnant women, people who have asthma, lung or heart disease. People in the area should avoid going in and out of their homes in order to prevent bad air from getting indoors. For those without power, consider going to a location with a powered ventilation system.
Using a mask is not an effective substitute for staying indoors in a space with filtered air.
Common symptoms of smoke exposure include coughing, scratchy throat, headaches and irritated eyes, nose and throat. Contact your healthcare provider if you are concerned about these symptoms.
People with asthma should continue to follow their asthma plan, and those with chronic lung or heart disease should continue to take their medications regularly. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or chest tightness may require immediate medical attention. Call 911 if you experience these symptoms.
For the most up-to-date air quality maps, visit airnow.gov. More health information about wildfire smoke is available at cchealth.org/wildfire-smoke.
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