San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District issues air quality emergency warning for Kern County

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — On Wednesday, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Emergency warning until 11 p.m. for Kern County.

The district reported that high winds and blowing dust is severely impacting air quality throughout the Valley portion of Kern County, including the City of Bakersfield and surrounding communities.

Officials said local air pollution is cautioning Kern County residents "that emergency-level particulate matter concentrations may be reached during this high-wind event, and residents are urged to avoid extended exposure by moving indoors to an air-conditioned/filtered environment with windows closed."

The district has asked local companies to delay construction and farming activities that generate dust and is not allowing agricultural burning during this episode.

Officials also advise residents to delay outdoor lawn care maintenance and avoid outdoor grilling and the use of residential wood-burning devices, and stop unnecessary driving.