Glenn County issues air pollution advisory

GLENN COUNTY, Calif. - The County Air Pollution Control District and the Glenn County Public Health Department have jointly released an air pollution advisory to alert the public to the region's potentially deteriorating air quality conditions.

Officials say the air quality deterioration is due to the influx of smoke from several ongoing fires in surrounding counties. Regional air quality is expected to dip into the unhealthy range in the coming days. The severity of smoke impacts will depend on wind direction and fire activity intensity.

Glenn County officials say the primary air pollutant of concern is fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5. Although individuals of all backgrounds may experience varying degrees of symptoms, those most vulnerable—including the elderly, children, pregnant women, smokers, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions—face an elevated risk of experiencing more severe symptoms.

These symptoms may encompass coughing, watery and itchy eyes, and difficulty in breathing.

To gauge air quality conditions and understand the necessary precautions, Glenn County officials encourage the public to refer to the county air quality chart. This chart estimates air quality based on visibility through smoke and offers recommendations based on individual health considerations. Generally, outdoor activities should be limited if smoke is visible or can be smelled.

For those experiencing questionable or severe symptoms, seeking professional medical advice and treatment is highly recommended. During periods of poor air quality due to smoke, the following actions are advised for affected areas:

Limit Outdoor Exertion: Individuals of all ages, including children and students, should reduce outdoor activities.

Reduce Travel: Unnecessary travel, particularly driving, should be minimized to lessen exposure to polluted air.

Check or Replace Air Conditioner Filters: Ensuring that air conditioning filters are clean or replaced can help improve indoor air quality.

The Glenn County Air Pollution Control District and the Glenn County Public Health Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.