BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has issued an air quality alert for the remainder of the week.
Valley Air officials say smoke from the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County as well as other fires burning throughout the state and blowing dust from the Santa Ana winds are impacting the air quality throughout the central valley. Air pollution officials are reminding residents that the health caution remains in place and they should take action to limit exposure to smoke and dust.
People with heart and lung disease in impacted areas should follow their doctor's advice for dealing with episodes of particulate matter exposure.
According the American Lung Associations 2019 State of the Air reports, Bakersfield remains the leader in the country for the most polluted air based on particle pollution.
Director of Rehabilitation Services at Adventist Health Bakersfield, Chris Lopez says the dust and smoke often aggravate people with existing heart and lung disease but these conditions can also impact healthy people, "For the avid people who can exercise we want to avoid any outdoor exercise, and try to move into the gym or get their steps inside a mall."
As of now Valley Air officials are uncertain how long the air quality alert will last as weather experts are tracking another system bringing more wind into the area.
