Air Quality Index

updated 10/01/2020 AT 0835hrs


HEALTH ALERT:

10/01/2020: MARIPOSA COUNTY continues to BE IMPACTED BY SMOKE FROM the nearby Creek fire and other FIRES AROUND THE STATE. We should see similar air quality today.


Poor air quality conditions should persist in the foothill communities above the San Joaquin valley. Unfortunately, these conditions are expected to continue leading into the weekend. 



 expect to see unhealthy for sensitive groups to unhealthy smoke impacts at times in most locations. Some clearing is possible in the late afternoon.


Persons with health conditions that are affected by smoke should consider relocating to a smoke free area until the smoke levels return to normal.


 NEW smoke forecast link

California Smoke Blog smoke information  


the Monitor now located in Coulterville is showing a similar AQI pattern as the one in Mariposa. The creek fire forecast doesnot show coulterville due to limitations in their current coverage area.


smoke forecast from the creek fire air resource advisor. this is a forecast not a promise. 

9-7-2020

smokeforecast

Mariposa County Smoke Related Air Quality Index (AQI)  click here to See the AirNow website 




You can view current air quality around Mariposa County by visiting the AirNow website and scrolling in to your part of Mariposa county on the map. You can also view the low tech sensor network of purple air sensors around the county at PurpleAir (website). These sensors are an indicator of air quality status but they are not as accurate as the emergency response monitors we use during a local fire. In side by side comparisons to our High tech monitors they read high, sometimes they are reporting significantly higher than actual conditions.


More Information

Protect yourself and your family with these Wildfire Smoke Health Tips 

For additional information on air quality you can visit the AirNow (website)

AQI Defined
  • Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside it’s probably not a good time to go for a run. And it’s probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.
  • If you have a heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether, and when, you should leave the area.
  • If you decide to remain:
    • Consider staying indoors to avoid breathing the smoke particles.
    • Run your air conditioner, if you have one.
    • Keep the fresh air intake closed, and the filters clean, to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Note: if you don’t have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelters.
    • A swamp cooler will not provide this protection, and will pull in the smoky air from outside.
    • “Masks” (especially surgical masks or wet bandanas) will not protect your lungs. If the smoke is that irritating to you, the best option is to remain indoors or temporarily re-locate.