Wildfire Information
Wildfires that may be impacting air quality in the San Joaquin Valley:
Wildfires no longer impacting air quality in the San Joaquin Valley:
Cal/OSHA has an emergency regulation in place to protect workers from wildfire smoke
Learn more about this regulationOutdoor workers who have questions regarding smoke impacts due to wildfires should first contact their employer. Employers and/or employees who have additional questions or need assistance with programs to protect workers exposed to smoke from wildfires can call Cal/OSHA's Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with a Cal/OSHA district office.
Per the CalOSHA regulation, you may check AQI forecasts and current AQI for PM2.5 from the following sources:
- U.S. EPA AirNow (current AQI and daily forecast)
- U.S. Forest Service Wildland Air Quality Response Program
- California Air Resources Board
- Valley Air District Air Quality Forecast
If you can smell smoke and see ash, that is an indication that you should be treating air quality conditions as RAAN Level 4 or 5 and take the following steps to limit your exposure:
- Limit your outdoor activities, especially children and people with chronic heart and lung diseases.
- Remain inside air conditioned buildings. Note: If you do not have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelter.
- If you have asthma or other lung diseases, make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
- If you are an older adult, have children, or if you have heart or lung diseases, talk with your doctor about whether you should leave the area.
This page displays real time data from temporary, portable monitors located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The data is not collected or verified by the Valley Air District. Please refer to the District’s ROAR guidelines to make decisions about outdoor activities.
Effort to Reduce Fuels in Forest
With the fuel load in the Valley’s mountain areas at an all-time high due to the drought and the bark beetle infestation, the District is working collaboratively with land management agencies to conduct strategic controlled burns to lessen the wildfire risk. In this effort, the District is being more flexible in allowing more days for prescribed burning activities under marginal conditions, and allowing larger amounts of acres to be treated per day where localized impacts to nearby communities are not expected to occur. In addition, the District continues to advocate for additional funding for state and federal agencies to conduct additional prescribed burning and fuel reduction activities, in an effort to reduce the severity of future wildfires across the region. Learn more here.
Resources:
- Health Risks of Wood Smoke and COVID-19
- Current Satellite Imagery
- Cal fire Incidents map
- USFS Smoke and Fire Map
- Wildfire Smoke - A Guide for Public Health Officials
- Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
- California Dept Public Health: Emergency Preparedness Office (EPO)
- CDC: Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke (includes Covid-19 Recommendations)
- Do you know what to do if smoke from a wildfire is affecting your area?
- California Smoke Information Blog
- AB 617 Community Air Monitoring
