Smoke from California wildfires has the potential to impact air quality throughout the entire San Joaquin Valley. 

Local air pollution officials have issued a health cautionary statement throughout the Valley for the smoke impacts of the Northern California wildfires and the Lion Fire burning in Tulare County. The smoke from the fires will have continuous impacts throughout the Valley and the health caution will remain in place until the fires are extinguished. 

Smoke from fires can cause serious health problems including lung disease, asthma attacks and increased risk of heart attacks and stroke. Health officials say people with existing respiratory conditions, young children and elderly people are especially susceptible to the health effects from these pollutants. 

Valley Air encourages those who are exposed to poor air quality or wildfire smoke to move inside to an air-conditioned environment. 

Residents can check the District's wildfire page at www.valleyair.org/wildfires for information about any current wildfires and whether they are impacting the Valley.